Process for igniting a regenerative soot filter in the exhaust gas connection of diesel engines

A process for the ignition of a soot combustion filter in an exhaust gas connection of a diesel engine, comprising the steps of charging with hydrogen under a pressure of 5 bar or more a first storage container in heat-conducting connection with the soot combustion filter, said first storage container containing at least one of a hydride-forming alloy and a hydride-forming metal that heats up to a temperature level of at least 650.degree. C. when charged with hydrogen under a pressure of 5 bar or more,

• taking the hydrogen from a second storage container which contains at least one of a metal hydride and a metal alloy hydride that releases, at a temperature within the range of 250.degree. to 400.degree. C., hydrogen under a pressure of more than 5 bar in said first storage chamber, at least one said metal hydride and a metal alloy hydride being heated up by the exhaust gases to a temperature within the range of 250.degree. to 400.degree. C., cooling the second storage container after the ignition of the soot combustion filter to a temperature at which a hydrogen pressure of 1 bar or less establishes itself within the second storage container, and conducting the hydrogen from the first storage container, which is heated up by the exhaust gases, back to the second storage container.