Method for bypassing sulfur dioxide around an aftertreatment device in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system

A method for reducing the sulfur dioxide passing through a sulfur-sensitive emission reduction device in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine, said method comprising:

• conducting exhaust gases discharged from said internal combustion engine to a first sulfur trap;
• converting sulfur dioxide carried in said exhaust gases discharged from said engine to sulfite and sulfate species in said first sulfur trap;
• storing said sulfite and sulfate species in said first sulfur trap;
• conducting a flow of exhaust gas that is substantially free of sulfur dioxide from said first sulfur trap to said sulfur-sensitive emission reduction device;
• determining a point at which said first sulfur trap is substantially saturated with said sulfite and sulfate species;
• interrupting the flow of exhaust gas to said sulfur-sensitive emission reduction device and conducting a flow of exhaust gas from said first sulfur trap to a second sulfur trap;
• and
• treating the exhaust gas with the second sulfur trap.