Method of detecting a need for regeneration of an exhaust particulate filter, and exhaust system

An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, comprising

• an exhaust particulate filter;
• a flow section connected to the exhaust particulate filter in a fluidically unbranched manner;
• a first pressure sensor arrangement for sensing a first pressure drop across the flow section, a second pressure sensor arrangement for sensing a second pressure drop at the exhaust particulate filter;
• a temperature sensor for sensing an exhaust gas temperature;
• and
• a control device which is coupled to the first pressure sensor arrangement (48), the second pressure sensor arrangement and the temperature sensor in terms of signaling, the control device being configured to
• (a) determine an exhaust gas mass flow flowing through the exhaust particulate filter on a basis of the first pressure drop detected by the first pressure sensor arrangement and the exhaust gas temperature sensed by the temperature sensor;
• and
• (b) identify a need for regeneration of the exhaust particulate filter when the second pressure drop detected by the second pressure sensor arrangement exceeds a predefined pressure limit value dependent on the exhaust gas mass flow.