Particle Filter In The Exhaust System Of An Internal Combustion Engine

A method for the regeneration of a particle filter in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during operation, the method comprising:

• starting a regeneration phase by increasing a measured exhaust-gas temperature from a normal operation level to a temperature value above a desorption start temperature defined by initiating release of sulfur compounds accumulated in the particle filter;
• monitoring a particle mass contained in the exhaust-gas flow downstream of the particle filter with an electrostatic particle mass sensor arranged in the exhaust-gas flow;
• comparing the particle mass to a predefined particle mass threshold value above which the formation of white smoke can be expected;
• if the particle mass threshold value is exceeded, setting the exhaust-gas temperature to a desorption temperature for release of sulfur compounds accumulated in the particle filter until the particle mass falls below the particle mass threshold value;
• if the particle mass threshold value is not exceeded, setting the exhaust-gas temperature to a regeneration temperature for burning-off of the particle loading of the particle filter for a predetermined time period;
• and
• after the predetermined time period has elapsed, ending the regeneration phase by lowering the exhaust-gas temperature to the normal operation level.