Thermo King has developed a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its TriPac hybrid auxiliary power unit (APU), designed to meet emissions requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It’s been submitted for CARB approval and is expected to be available this spring.

Thermo King says regeneration, the process of burning off particulate matter trapped in the filter element, takes place during normal driving hours with no disruption to the driver during rest periods. Extended APU runtime between regenerations assures minimal driver involvement and makes regeneration the exception rather than the rule, the company says.

The DPF won’t reduce fuel economy and places no extra strain on the APU, says TK, while reducing engine noise.

Thermo King also announced the Extreme Arctic Kit for the TriPac, citing numerous studies that show the majority of mechanical engine wear (up to 90%) occurs during engine start-up, made worse in cold weather as oil pressure will vary widely during the first several minutes of a cold-engine start. To combat this, the Extreme Arctic Kit includes both coolant and oil heaters. The kit is available now.