An exhaust system including an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a service access, and a silica filter defines an exhaust gas flow path. The downstream portion includes an aftertreatment component. The service access is between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The silica filter includes a silica filter element and a housing enclosing the silica filter element. The housing includes a filter gas inlet and a filter gas outlet, and defines a filter flow path through the silica filter element between the filter gas inlet and the filter gas outlet. The silica filter element is configured to filter silica from exhaust gases of the engine and structured to create a uniform distribution of silica throughout the silica filter element. The silica filter is configured to be removed and replaced through the service access. The exhaust gas flow path includes the filter flow path.