Diploma in DPF and Solid Emissions Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in diesel particulate filters (DPF) and solid emissions control. 8 modules covering diesel particulates, filter technology, regeneration, ash and durability, particle measurement, modelling and control, and type approval, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in DPF and Solid Emissions Control — studying from South Africa
Mining, agriculture and construction make off-road and specialised machinery central to South Africa's economy. Mining equipment manufacturers and service providers support the country's extensive gold, platinum and coal operations, while agricultural machinery serves commercial farming. Engineers working on heavy vehicles and special machines focus on hydraulics, drivetrains and durability under harsh conditions. The South African Bureau of Standards and the Mine Health and Safety Council set relevant standards and safety requirements.
Fees for South Africa: R 20 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body. Engineering registration is handled by ECSA, and machinery safety standards are linked to SABS and the Department of Employment and Labour's regulations. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this with them before you enrol.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in off-road and special vehicles?
Mining, agriculture, construction and vehicle-conversion firms value practical machinery knowledge and proven problem-solving. A private qualification can support your application, especially with hands-on experience, but it carries no official status. Its weight depends on each employer, so ask potential employers in your field how they would view it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM directly.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand how diesel particulates form and their effects.
Select suitable filtration technologies.
Design filter regeneration strategies.
Analyse system durability and failures.
Measure solid emissions using standardised methods.
Model and calibrate the control system.
Meet type-approval and in-service requirements.
Who it's for
- Aftertreatment engineers
- Emissions engineers
- Test bench technicians
- Calibration engineers
- Engine diagnostics specialists
- Type-approval engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into engine manufacturing
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emission limits for non-road mobile machinery)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/654 (technical and general requirements for NRMM engines)
- ISO 27891 (calibration of aerosol particle number counters)
- UNECE Regulation R49 (emissions from heavy-duty engines)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/655 (in-service monitoring of NRMM engines)
- Directive 2004/37/EC (carcinogens and mutagens at work)
- ISO 8178-1 (reciprocating engine exhaust emission measurement)
- GT-SUITE
- Ansys Fluent
- AVL BOOST
- ETAS INCA
8 modules
1.1Soot formation during combustion1.2Soluble organic fraction and sulphates1.3Particle size and distribution1.4Particle mass versus particle number1.5Health effects and Directive 2004/37/EC1.6Stage V and Euro VI limits1.7NRTC and WHTC test cycles1.8Particulates during cold start1.9Comparison of engines and fuels1.10Workshop: reading a particle size spectrum
2.1Wall-flow filters2.2Cordierite and silicon carbide substrates2.3Porosity and pore size2.4Depth filtration and cake filtration2.5Filter pressure drop2.6Catalysed filters (CDPF)2.7Partial-flow filters2.8Location in the exhaust system2.9Integration with DOC and SCR2.10Case study: substrate selection for a tractor
3.1Passive regeneration with NO23.2Active regeneration by post-injection3.3Burners and exhaust injection3.4Stationary and forced regeneration3.5Critical temperatures and thermal failures3.6Uncontrolled regenerations3.7Soot loading models3.8Estimation by differential pressure3.9Management in low-load cycles3.10Practical exercise: regeneration strategy for low-load machinery
4.1Origin of ash from oil and fuel4.2Accumulation and clogging4.3Low-SAPS oils4.4Filter cleaning and servicing4.5Catalyst ageing4.6Substrate cracking and melting4.7System service life4.8Accelerated durability testing4.9Field failure analysis4.10Case study: diagnosing a melted filter
5.1Sampling with dilution5.2Condensation particle counters (CPC)5.3Calibration according to ISO 278915.4Removal of volatile particles5.5Gravimetric mass measurement5.6Particle number PEMS equipment5.7Opacimetry and its limitations5.8Measurement at roadworthiness inspection5.9Measurement uncertainty5.10Lab: particle number measurement on a test bench
6.1One-dimensional filter models6.2Simulation in GT-SUITE6.3CFD of flow in the substrate6.4Exhaust temperature control6.5Regeneration calibration6.6On-board diagnostics of the DPF6.7Soot sensors6.8Tampering detection6.9Integration into the control unit6.10Practical exercise: DPF pressure drop model
7.1Regulation (EU) 2016/16287.2Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/6547.3In-service monitoring with PEMS7.4UNECE Regulation R497.5Filter retrofitting7.6Low-emission zones and construction sites7.7Occupational exposure to exhaust gases7.8Checks at roadworthiness inspection7.9Penalties for tampering7.10Workshop: type-approval dossier for the aftertreatment system
8.1Definition of the engine and application8.2Emission requirements8.3Selection of the filtration system8.4Regeneration strategy8.5Measurement test plan8.6Durability analysis8.7Cost assessment8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, Ansys Fluent, AVL BOOST and ETAS INCA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures for particle number measurement on engine test benches, regeneration calibration in low-load cycles and field failure analysis of filters. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2016/1628, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/654, ISO 27891, UNECE Regulation R49, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/655, Directive 2004/37/EC, ISO 8178-1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with GT-SUITE, Ansys Fluent, AVL BOOST, ETAS INCA, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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