What is a “runaway regeneration”?

An “uncontrolled or runaway regeneration” is a spontaneous uncontrolled thermal event where a high concentration of accumulated soot of a DPF rapidly burns off. It is often caused by high soot load accumulations followed by a period of low power or idle condition. This raises the oxygen content in the flow restricted exhaust. Exhaust gas temperatures can spike to temperatures above 20000 C (36320 F) during an uncontrolled regeneration event causing immediate and irreparable damage to the DPF.