Two Forces, One Filter – Why Hybrid DPF Cleaning Leaves Traditional Methods Behind

From Hydro to Hybrid – A Natural Evolution in DPF Cleaning

For many workshops, hydrodynamic cleaning has long been the default way to regenerate diesel particulate filters (DPFs). It’s simple: water and detergent under pressure flush the soot and ash away. Over the years, this method proved effective enough to become an industry standard.

But filters are changing — and so are the expectations. New DPF designs are more compact, ceramic monoliths are more fragile, and regulations like Euro 7 demand better performance. Traditional cleaning isn’t wrong — it’s just no longer enough.

That’s where hybrid cleaning steps in.

The Hidden Limitations of Standard Hydrodynamic Cleaning

While flushing a filter with water and detergent removes most of the visible soot, it doesn’t always clean what’s left behind. Standard hydrodynamic machines often skip two key steps: proper pre-cleaning and controlled drying.

Without pre-cleaning, some airflow channels remain partially blocked, limiting how deep the rinse can go. And when drying is done passively — with natural evaporation or cold air — fine ash and soot particles in the rinse water can settle and harden inside the filter.
So the filter may look clean... but deep inside, performance is still compromised.

➡ Related reading: How to Prepare a DPF Service for Euro 7 – Technology Ready for Stricter Standards

DPF-Hybrid™ – A Three-Stage System That Goes Deeper

Otomatic’s DPF-Hybrid™ system takes everything good from hydrodynamic cleaning — and builds on it. The result? A three-stage process that improves every phase of DPF regeneration.

Pneumatic Pre-Cleaning

The cycle begins with high-pressure pulses of air that break up dry buildup and clear blocked channels. This preparation ensures that water can reach deeper into the filter, reducing backpressure and improving flow from the start.

Hydrodynamic Flushing

Next comes the familiar rinse — but now with optimized flow thanks to pre-cleaning. Water and detergent work more effectively, reaching into the full structure of the filter.

Impulse Drying

This is where hybrid cleaning sets itself apart. Rather than letting the water evaporate slowly, the system uses hot air pulses under pressure to physically expel moisture and any suspended PM (particulate matter) before it settles. The result? No hardened ash inside the filter, and no performance loss after cleaning.

➡ Want to understand the future of regeneration? 
Read Outdated DPF Machines in a Changing Market – Why New Standards Require New Technology

Optional Automation – Let AI Handle the Details

While the hybrid process itself is mechanical, Otomatic’s more advanced models (like the DPF Platinum AI) feature built-in automation with AI SmartClean™. This system selects the right cycle, adjusts pressure and flow, and delivers consistent results without relying on manual operator settings.

But it’s important to clarify: AI doesn’t clean — it makes the cleaning smarter, safer, and easier to manage.

Why Hybrid Makes Sense – Even for Standard DPF Services

You don’t need to be an OEM supplier or service huge fleets to benefit from hybrid cleaning. Most DPF services today work with everyday passenger vehicles and vans — and these filters are just as likely to suffer from internal residue and uneven cleaning.

That’s why hybrid systems are becoming the new standard. They:
- Deliver cleaner filters with no hidden buildup,
- Protect ceramic substrates from pressure and heat stress,
- Reduce operator involvement and error,
- Offer documentation to prove cleaning quality.

In short, they help you do the job right — every time.
➡ Curious about customer expectations? 
See Rethinking DPF Cleaning – What Regular Workshops Really Need Today

Conclusion – Don’t Replace Water Cleaninig. Upgrade The Method.

Hybrid DPF cleaning isn’t a replacement for hydrodynamic cleaning — it’s the next evolution of it. By combining pneumatic pre-cleaning, active water flushing, and intelligent drying, Otomatic’s system ensures your filters are cleaned precisely, safely, and thoroughly.
And with emission standards tightening, that kind of performance is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Related blog articles:
🔗 How to Prepare a DPF Service for Euro 7 – Technology Ready for Stricter Standards
🔗 Rethinking DPF Cleaning – What Regular Workshops Really Need Today
🔗 Outdated DPF Machines in a Changing Market – Why New Standards Require New Technology