Abstract: In a particle filter for exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, particularly Diesel engines, including a filter body with filter pockets which are formed from sinter metal sheets and are wedge-shaped with an opening at the blunt end and edges formed by converging pocket side walls and arranged adjacent one another such that, between adjacent filter pockets, corresponding opposite spaces are formed with openings facing in a direction opposite to the openings at the blunt end, the filter pockets side walls are spaced from one another by widening means extending along at least an edge of the filter pockets so as to increase the width of the space between the side walls of the filter pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and converting exhaust particulates from a stream of exhaust gas, especially a diesel engine, into gaseous substances, in which the exhaust gas is guided through a honeycomb filter (6) made from a porous ceramic material whose axially extending channels (1, 2) are open merely at one face side of the filter and are closed off at the respective other face side, and a voltage is applied to electrodes (3, 4) extending parallel to the channels (1, 2) of the honeycomb filter (6). The closure of the channels (1, 2) at the face side is made in such a way that the channels (1, 2) each extending at the same normal distance from one of the electrodes (3, 4) are either all open or all closed off at their face side (9). The channels (1, 2) are mutually offset in a brickwork-like way.

Abstract: In a particle filter with carbon (soot) deposit combustion for Diesel engines comprising a filter with filter areas of sinter metal through which exhaust gases from the Diesel engine are conducted to remove the soot therefrom, the soot collected at the raw gas side of the filter surfaces is burned off by radiation heaters which are arranged so as to radiate between wedge-like filter pockets of the particle filter such that selected areas of the filter are heated to initiate combustion of the soot on the filter surfaces.

Abstract: A wire mesh filter is made from a knitted wire sock, folded along its length, and then wound into a spiral, and is useful for diesel traps and other particulate filters that are regenerable by heating the filter.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly includes supplying a reduced amount of fuel to the fuel-fired burner in response to detection of a burner shutdown request. Such a reduced fuel supply continues for a predetermined time period after which fuel is no longer supplied to the burner. The supply of both combustion air and atomization air, along with spark generation, continues for a period of time after the fuel is shutoff. An emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honeycomb structure usable as a filter for trapping/collecting particulates included in an exhaust gas; and the structure can remove ashes deposited inside without requiring any special mechanism or apparatus or without being detached from the exhaust system. The structure includes: a plurality of through channels 9 extending to the axial direction of the honeycomb structure, porous partition walls 7 separating through channels one another, and plugging portions 11 plugging predetermined through channels 9a at one end and the rest of through channels 9b at other end opposite to the plugged end of the predetermined through channels, wherein a through-hole is formed in at least a part of the plugging portion, and its diameter is 0.2 mm or more, but not more than a value which is smaller between 1 mm and 75% of a diameter of an inscribed circle of the through channel.

Abstract: There is provided a particulate filter for trapping particulates contained in an exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of an engine, comprising a plurality of exhaust gas flow passages each formed by three porous partitions extending substantially parallel with each other, each of the exhaust gas flow passages having a triangular cross section, wherein the partitions defining one of the adjacent exhaust gas flow passages are deformed at one end area of the filter so that the partitions at one end area of the filter approach each other toward one of the ends of the filter, the deformed portions of the partitions are connected to each other at their ends, thereby an opening of one of the adjacent exhaust gas flow passages is at least partially closed, the partitions defining the other exhaust gas flow passage are deformed at the other end area of the filter so that the partitions at the other end area of the filter approach each other toward the other end of the filter, and the deformed portions of t

Abstract: A filter element comprises a pleated metal fiber fleece which is pleated according to pleating lines, providing an edge with pleat openings to be closed to make gas flowing through the metal fiber fleece. The filter element comprises at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprises a ceramic plate. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the ceramic plates of both flanks, while flanks exercising a clamping force on the edges of the metal fiber fleece in a direction essentially parallel to the pleating lines, meanwhile closing the pleat openings.

Abstract: A filter for removing soot from the exhaust gases from a diesel engine. The filter incorporates two elements. The first element is a flow-through filter element incorporating a porous metal substrate formed by electrodepositing a metal such as nickel in the interstitial spaces of a packed array of electrically nonconductive particles of a material and then removing the material of the particles to produce the porous metal substrate. The second element is a hollow body having an inlet port and an outlet port, the filter element being positioned in and sealed to the hollow body so that diesel exhaust gases directed into the inlet port of the hollow body flow through the porous metal substrate from the inlet side of the porous metal substrate to the outlet side of the porous metal substrate and then out the outlet port of the hollow body. The bulk density of the porous metal substrate is less than 40% of the density of the metal of the substrate.

Abstract: A filter element comprising a pleated metal fiber fleece is pleated according to pleating lines, providing an edge with pleat openings to be closed to make gas flowing through the metal fiber fleece. The filter element comprising at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprises a thermally and electrically insulating fabric and a stiff material layer. The thermally and electrically insulating fabric is present at one side of the stiff material layer, providing a thermally and electrically insulated side to the flank. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the thermally and electrically insulated sides of both flanks, which exercise a clamping force on the edges of the metal fiber fleece in a direction essentially parallel to the pleating lines, while the flanks closing said pleat openings.

Abstract: A filter element comprises a pleated metal fiber fleece being pleated according to pleating lines providing an edge with pleat openings to be closed in order to make gas flowing through the metal fiber fleece. The filter element further comprises at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprising a stiff material layer. The stiff material layer and the metal fiber fleece are connected using a layer of ceramic adhesive, which prevents direct contact of the metal fiber fleece over the length of the edge of the metal fiber fleece with the flank. Meanwhile the flanks, being essentially perpendicular to the pleating lines, closing the pleat openings in order to prevent bypasses.

Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter 1, which comprises an integral structure of a plurality of honeycomb segments 12 bonded by an adhesive 8. The honeycomb segment has numbers of through-holes 3, which are surrounded by partition walls 2 and extend in the axial direction of the segment. The honeycomb filter is characterized in that a ratio of a thermal conductivity ? s of the honeycomb segment 12 to a thermal conductivity ? a of the adhesive 8, ? s/? a, is in a range of 5 to 300 and a density ? a of the adhesive 8 is in a range of 0.1 to 4 g/cc. The honeycomb filter can prevent excessive temperature increase, can be low in non-uniformity of temperature distribution, and can be superior in durability.

Abstract: A flow rate of gas supplied to a diesel particulate filter is increased when it is determined that rapid combustion of collected particulates, which are collected by the particulate filter, is likely to occur based on an operating state of an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the flow rate of gas supplied to the filter is increased when it is determined that rapid combustion of the collected particulates is initiated based on a state of the particulate filter.

Abstract: An improved, efficient, and regenerable exhaust emission filter and filter system are provided which incorporate the use of an inorganic, non-woven fiber filter element. The filter is able to capture exhaust pollutants and particulates through the interwoven nature of the filter element and due to area enhancements applied to the filter element including microscopic enhancements. The filter has an improved life and is able to combust a greater percentage of trapped particulates due to the high temperatures the filter element can withstand. The filter element if formed from a non-woven fiber block which is machined or shaped into a filter foundation. The filter element can have a multitude of coatings and catalysts applied and can be wrapped in insulation and a casing. The improved exhaust emission filter is particularly useful for diesel engine exhausts.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter construction, for filtering particulate from a flow of exhaust, includes a first layer of electrically resistive metal filter material in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein and a second layer of electrically resistive filter material which is also in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein. The layers are pleated cylinders concentrically positioned relative to one another. Current from a power supply is routed through the first layer and the second layer, which are electrically connected in series to one another. The layers are positioned so that exhaust flows through both the layers. Sufficient heat is generated by the flow of current through the layers to generate heat to, in turn, burn off entrapped particulate.

Abstract: A self-cleaning porous cermet material, filter and system utilizing the same may be used in filtering particulate and gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines having intermetallic and ceramic phases. The porous cermet filter may be made from a transition metal aluminide phase and an alumina phase. Filler materials may be added to increase the porosity or tailor the catalytic properties of the cermet material. Additionally, the cermet material may be reinforced with fibers or screens. The porous filter may also be electrically conductive so that a current may be passed therethrough to heat the filter during use. Further, a heating element may be incorporated into the porous cermet filter during manufacture. This heating element can be coated with a ceramic material to electrically insulate the heating element. An external heating element may also be provided to heat the cermet filter during use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating structures in the particulate trap in areas that generate particulate build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the particulate build up, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn off of particulates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filtering body (7) consisting of a plurality of adjacent channels through the walls of which the exhaust gases are filtered. It comprises first (12 to 23) and second (8 to 11) filtering zones, the surface filtering the gases, relative to the unit area of the gas intake of the body (7), being different in the first (12 to 23) and second (8 to 11) zones. The invention is applicable to a diesel engine.

Abstract: A DPF apparatus includes: a container; an exhaust inlet pipe; a diesel particulate filter; a pair of perforated plugs; a pair of partition plates; and a diffusion chamber. The exhaust inlet pipe is inserted into the container and having openings formed in a pipe wall thereof. The diesel particulate filter is disposed inside the container. The perforated plugs are separately disposed inside an end portion of the exhaust inlet pipe. The partition plates have one or more openings and disposed on the pipe wall of the exhaust inlet pipe. The diffusion chamber is defined by an inner wall face of the container, the perforated plugs, the partition plates, and the pipe wall of the exhaust inlet pipe.

Abstract: A filtration system (10) operable at elevated temperatures and regenerateable in situ employing microwave energy (99). In one embodiment, the system includes multiple channels (35) with means for selectively placing individual ones of the channels on-line for filtration and off-line for regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic filter to be used at a high temperature, and it contains a substance having preferential reactivity with an ash component contained in materials captured by the ceramic filter and not removed by a high temperature treatment such as combustion over the principal component of the ceramic filter; the reaction between the ash component being not removed by a high temperature treatment such as combustion of the filter and remaining accumulated and the filter component to cause melting of the filter being suppressed to attain a long period of service.

Abstract: A ceramic-made filter for capturing the particulates present in the exhaust gas discharged from diesel engines, wherein a ceramic particles layer made of heat-resistant ceramic particles is formed on a filter by coating, the heat-resistant ceramic particles having a BET specific surface area of 300 m2/g or less. In this ceramic-made filter, the melting of the filter caused by the ash remaining and accumulating after the particulates captured by the filter have been burnt, can be prevented easily without using a large system or the like.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a ceramic honeycomb structure having porous partition walls defining a plurality of flow paths for flowing an exhaust gas through the porous partition walls to remove particulates from the exhaust gas, the predetermined flow paths among the flow paths being sealed at their ends, a catalyst being carried by the porous partition walls, the porous partition walls having a porosity of 60-75% and an average pore diameter of 15-25 &mgr;m when measured according to a mercury penetration method, and the maximum of a slope Sn of a cumulative pore volume curve of the porous partition walls relative to a pore diameter obtained at an n-th measurement point being 0.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus (30) in which a before and after differential pressure (&Dgr;P) of a filter (32) used to trap particulates is detected for regeneration of the filter (32), a time at which, during filter regeneration, the temperature of the outlet section of the filter (32) falls below the temperature of the inlet section thereof (&Dgr;T>M), using a first temperature sensor (36) and a second temperature sensor (37), is determined as being the timing of the completion of the regeneration of the filter (32). The value of the before and after differential pressure (&Dgr;P) at the time of this regeneration completion is used to estimate the quantity of residual ash in the filter (32), and when this estimated residual ash quantity is the same as, or greater than, a prescribed value (PX), a replacement warning signal (K3) is output urging replacement of the filter (32).

Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purification device is disclosed. The purification device has a filter (13) which traps particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas from an engine; a differential pressure detection sensor (16) which detects a differential pressure of the filter; a sensor (14, 15, 21, 31, 33) which detects an engine running state, and a microcomputer (22). The microcomputer (22) is programmed to compute an estimated ash amount ASH_a of the filter based on the detected differential pressure; compute an oil consumption amount OC_total based on the detected engine running state; compute an ash density DENS_ASH from the oil consumption amount OC_total and estimated ash amount ASH_a, and compute an ash amount ASH of the filter based on the oil consumption amount OC_total and ash density DENS_ASH.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying filter employs plugs that can be used as part of filter. The exhaust gas purifying filter has a honeycomb structure including a multitude of cells each surrounded by walls. Each of the cells is stopped with a plug on one end and the walls and the plugs are all made of a porous material. The value of M=(L/t)×(P1/P2) is in a range of 10<M<90, where P1 is the porosity of the walls, P 2 is the porosity of plugs, t is mean thickness of the walls and L is mean length of the plugs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter made of a porous ceramics sintered body has a honeycomb structure having a large number of through channels partitioned by partition walls and passing through along an axial direction. When a ratio of a pore volume having a diameter of 30 &mgr;m or more to a total pore volume, measured by a method of mercury penetration, of the filter is P1(%) and a thickness of said partition wall is T (&mgr;m), these satisfy the relationship defined by the following formula: P1×10≦T. In case of this filter, one may produce it relatively easily on a large scale without adjustment requiring the change of the properties of material for a filter, and the filter can flexibly cope with various uses.

Abstract: A map which defines a relationship of an exhaust gas pressure P2 at the outlet of a filter (13) to a load Q and rotation speed Ne of an engine (1) is prepared, and an exhaust gas pressure P1 at the inlet to the filter (13) is determined from a differential pressure &Dgr;P between the front and rear of the filter and the outlet pressure P2 obtained by referring to the map. The inlet pressure P1 determined in this manner is used to determine an exhaust gas volumetric flow rate Q1, and thus an accurate particulate accumulation SM, which is required to determine the need for regeneration of the filter (13), can be calculated.

Abstract: A particulate filter can be prevented from being damaged. The ashes can be removed from the particulate filter without by burning. A non-woven welding operation for a sealing portion can be simplified. The operability is enhanced by facilitating an insertion of a multi-layer body into a heat resisting container. The number of recycling processes executed when particulate matters such as soot are accumulated on the particulate filter is made as small as possible. A particulate filter 1 comprises an axial core 7 composed of a heat resisting metal, a multi-layer body 3 formed by winding said axial core with a multi-layer member into which a non-woven fabric 11 and a corrugated sheet 13 each composed of a heat resisting metal are tiered, and a heat resisting container 5 charged with said multi-layer body 3.

Abstract: A regeneration device of an exhaust gas purification filter that reduces the regeneration time of the filter. The regeneration device includes a plurality of first temperature detectors arranged in casings to detect the temperature in each casing and a second temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas. A processor is connected to the first temperature detectors and the second temperature detector. The processor compares the temperature of the exhaust gas and the temperature of at least one of the casings, opens the associated switch valve based on the comparison result, and preheats at least one of the filters with the exhaust gas. The heat of the exhaust gas suddenly increases the temperature of the filter from the initial temperature and reduces the filter regeneration time.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system (1) having a continuous regeneration DPF (3) installed in the exhaust passage (2) of a diesel engine (E) provided with a glow plug and a regeneration control means for regenerating the continuous regeneration DPF (3), is constituted so that the regeneration control means performs retarded injection or post-injection in the control of fuel injection into a cylinder (13) and heating the inside of the cylinder (13) by the glow plug (16) for regenerating the continuous regeneration DPF (3).

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system of a diesel engine comprises a PM filter installed in an exhaust passage line of the engine to collect particulate matter (PM) in the exhaust gas from s the engine; a pressure difference sensor for detecting a pressure difference between upstream and downstream portions of the PM filter; a control unit which comprises a collected PM amount estimating section that estimates an amount of collected PM in the PM filter based on the pressure difference; and a reactivation timing judging section that, based on the estimated amount of the collected PM, judges a reactivation time when the reactivation of the PM filter is needed; and a reactivation carrying out system that, upon judgment of the reactivation time, carries out a predetermined operation to increases the temperature of the PM filter thereby to burn the collected PM.

Abstract: An electrically regeneratable filter element comprises at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprising a stiff material layer. Each of these flanks has at least one thermally and electrically insulated side. The filter element comprises further a metal fiber fleece being pleated according to pleating lines providing an edge with pleat openings. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the flanks, in such a way that the thermally and electrically insulated sides make contact with the edge, meanwhile these sides closing the pleat openings.

Abstract: In a particle filter with carbon (soot) deposit combustion for Diesel engines comprising a filter with filter areas of sinter metal through which exhaust gases from the Diesel engine are conducted to remove the soot therefrom, the soot collected at the raw gas side of the filter surfaces is burned off by radiation heaters which are arranged so as to radiate between wedge-like filter pockets of the particle filter such that selected areas of the filter are heated to initiate combustion of the soot on the filter surfaces.

Abstract: A method of regenerating at least one diesel particle filter, in which exhaust gas is introduced through a supply line into the at least one diesel particle filter and is discharged from it through a discharge line, while heating of the exhaust gas flowing through the at least one diesel particle filter takes place, a closed circulating air circuit being created through which exhaust gas emerging from the at least one diesel particle filter may be introduced back into the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating structures in the particulate trap in areas that generate particulate build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the particulate build up, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn off of particulates.

Abstract: The invention describes a filter device having filter elements (2 through 6; 12 through 20; 22 through 25) made of ceramic material which are combined into at least one filter element group (1, 11, 21) in which the filter elements (2 through 6, 12 through 20; 22 through 25) lie side by side next to one another and can be flowed through in parallel, which is characterized in that only some of the filter elements (2, 12, 22, 23) of each filter element group (1, 11, 21) have electrical terminals for connection with an electrical energy source, and at least that/those filter element(s) (2, 12, 22, 23) is/are made of electrically conductive ceramic material.

Abstract: Composite cordierite honeycomb structures especially suitable for diesel exhaust filtration applications comprise a non-oxide polycrystalline phase constituting 10-70% by weight, with the remainder of the ceramic material constituting a cordierite phase, the non-oxide polycrystalline phase being selected from the group consisting of carbides, nitrides, and borides. Preferably the non-oxide phase is either polycrystalline silicon carbide or polycrystalline silicon nitride and has a particle aspect ratio of less than 3. Inventive ceramic bodies are porous with an open porosity of at least 30%, preferably between 40% and 60%, and a median pore size of at least 5 micrometers, more preferably greater than 8 micrometers and less than 12 micrometers.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulates from a gas stream is described comprising a filter through which gas may be caused to flow, at least one first electrode for producing an atmospheric glow discharge located near to but spaced apart from the filter, and at least one second counter electrode, the electrodes being connected to an AC voltage supply generating an AC voltage in a frequency within the range of 1 kHz to 200 kHz. A method of removal of particulates from a gas stream comprising causing the gas to flow through such an apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A self-cleaning porous cermet material, filter and system utilizing the same may be used in filtering particulate and gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines having intermetallic and ceramic phases. The porous cermet filter may be made from a transition metal aluminide phase and an alumina phase. Filler materials may be added to increase the porosity or tailor the catalytic properties of the cermet material. Additionally, the cermet material may be reinforced with fibers or screens. The porous filter may also be electrically conductive so that a current may be passed therethrough to heat the filter during use. Further, a heating element may be incorporated into the porous cermet filter during manufacture. This heating element can be coated with a ceramic material to electrically insulate the heating element. An external heating element may also be provided to heat the cermet filter during use.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honeycomb structure which can be used as a filter for trapping/collecting particulates included in an exhaust gas and in which it is possible to remove ashes deposited inside without requiring any special mechanism or apparatus or without being detached from the exhaust system. The structure comprises a plurality of through channels 9 extending to an axial direction of a honeycomb structure, porous partition walls 7 separating through channels one another, and plugging portions 11; said plugging portion plugging predetermined through channels 9a at one end and the rest of through channels 9b at other end opposite to the plugged end of the predetermined through channels, wherein at least a part of predetermined crossing portions of the porous partition walls is discontinued to form a void portion 17 in each of the predetermined crossing portions.

Abstract: A particle trap, such as in a honeycomb body, for separating particles out of an exhaust gas flow, includes a flow channel. An exhaust gas flow which includes particles flows through the flow channel. Internals, such as projections, humps, protuberances or the like are situated on one side of the flow channel. An opposite region of a channel wall is completely or partially porous. When a flow of exhaust gas which includes particles flows through the particle trap, the particles are diverted toward the porous channel wall, to which they adhere. They can then be removed again by regeneration. The particle trap and an associated process for separating particles out of an exhaust gas flow, are particularly advantageous when used in the exhaust system of an internal-combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, specifically and advantageously in combination with a soot filter.

Abstract: A wire mesh filter is made from a knitted wire sock, folded along its length, and then wound into a spiral, and is useful for diesel traps and other particulate filters that are regenerable by heating the filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating microwave-absorbing material in the particulate trap in areas that particulates build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the microwave-absorbing material, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn-off of particulates.

Abstract: A filter element comprising a pleated metal fiber fleece is pleated according to pleating lines, providing an edge with pleat openings to be closed to make gas flowing through the metal fiber fleece. The filter element comprising at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprises a thermally and electrically insulating fabric and a stiff material layer. The thermally and electrically insulating fabric is present at one side of the stiff material layer, providing a thermally and electrically insulated side to the flank. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the thermally and electrically insulated sides of both flanks, which exercise a clamping force on the edges of the metal fiber fleece in a direction essentially parallel to the pleating lines, while the flanks closing said pleat openings.

Abstract: A filter element comprises a pleated metal fiber fleece which is pleated according to pleating lines, providing an edge with pleat openings to be closed to make gas flowing through the metal fiber fleece. The filter element comprises at least two flanks, each of these flanks comprises a ceramic plate. The metal fiber fleece is mounted between the ceramic plates of both flanks, while flanks exercising a clamping force on the edges of the metal fiber fleece in a direction essentially parallel to the pleating lines, meanwhile closing the pleat openings.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating cermet materials and methods of utilizing the same such as in filtering particulate and gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines having intermetallic and ceramic phases. The cermet material may be made from a transition metal aluminide phase and an alumina phase. The mixture may be pressed to form a green compact body and then heated in a nitrogen containing atmosphere so as to melt aluminum particles and form the cermet. Filler materials may be added to increase the porosity or tailor the catalytic properties of the cermet material. Additionally, the cermet material may be reinforced with fibers or screens. The cermet material may also be formed so as to pass an electrical current therethrough to heat the material during use.

Abstract: A filtration system (10) operable at elevated temperatures and regenerateable in situ employing microwave energy (99). In one embodiment, the system includes multiple channels (35) with means for selectively placing individual ones of the channels on-line for filtration and off-line for regeneration.