Exhaust gas purification apparatus and method

An exhaust gas purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine generating an exhaust gas to be introduced to an exhaust system thereof, comprising:

• reforming means for reforming a fuel and the exhaust gas into a reformed gas containing at least hydrogen which is used for reducing NOx compounds contained in the exhaust gas by introducing the fuel and a part of the exhaust gas;
• and
• controlling means for controlling a fuel supply amount of the fuel introduced to the reforming means and an exhaust gas introduction amount of the exhaust gas introduced to the reforming means in accordance with a demanded hydrogen amount of the reforming means and an air/fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine,
• wherein the exhaust gas is purified while controlling the fuel supply amount and the exhaust gas introduction amount.

An exhaust gas purification method of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine generating an exhaust gas to be introduced to an exhaust system thereof, comprising:

• reforming a fuel and the exhaust gas into a reformed gas containing at least hydrogen which is used for reducing NOx compounds contained in the exhaust gas by introducing the fuel and a part of the exhaust gas;
• and
• controlling a fuel supply amount of the fuel introduced when the reformed gas is generated and an exhaust gas introduction amount of the exhaust gas introduced when the reformed gas is generated in accordance with a demanded hydrogen amount demanded when the reformed gas is generated and an air/fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine,
• wherein the exhaust gas is purified while controlling the fuel supply amount and the exhaust gas introduction amount.