Method for rejuvenating an exhaust gas filter for a diesel engine

Method for rejuvenating an exhaust gas filter 24 which is communicated with an internal combustion engine 10 having a plurality of cylinders 16, a main fuel injector communicated with each cylinder and being in communication with a fuel pump, said engine 10 including power control means 41 being operable to selectively immobilize at least one of said plurality of cylinders to reduce the engine's power output, said power control means 41 including a fuel flow control element which is operable to discontinue fuel flow to said at least one cylinder during a period when said cylinder is immobilized,

• said exhaust filter 24 having a bed 36 adapted to retain combustible particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream passing therethrough, and a catalytic element 37 disposed upstream of said bed 36 to enhance preheating of the exhaust gas stream to a sufficiently high temperature to ignite retained particulate matter, which method includes;
• introducing a supplementary fuel charge to at least one of said plurality of cylinders after the latter has been immobilized by said power control means 41, whereby the added supplementary fuel is intermixed with exhaust gas to form a fuel/gas mixture which is carried to said filter catalyst chamber 37.