System and method for regenerating exhaust system filtering and catalyst components

A method of regenerating particulate filters, catalyzed soot filters, and NOx absorber catalysts for a vehicle having a compression ignition engine having an engine control module and an integrated starter/alternator/flywheel/retarder assembly, comprising:

• sensing the condition of the particulate filters, catalyzed soot filters, and NOx absorber catalysts, and generating an initiate cleaning cycle signal upon sensing that the filters and catalysts require cleaning;
• monitoring operation of the engine and the vehicle to determine whether the engine is idling and whether the vehicle is stopped and generating an engine idling/vehicle stopped signal;
• receiving the initiate cleaning engine cycle signal and the engine idling/vehicle stopped signal by the engine control module;
• initiating engine control parameter adjustments to bring the engine to a specified operating speed;
• sensing the temperature of an exhaust gas stream and generating a low temperature signal upon sensing that the exhaust gas temperature is insufficient for regeneration of the filters;
• generating a signal to initiate a desulfation cycle that is based upon outputs from an exhaust NOx sensor, an exhaust gas temperature sensor, and an air/fuel ratio sensor that are received by the engine control module that initiates desulfation of a NOx absorber catalyst;
• and
• activating a heater in the exhaust pipe in response to receiving the low temperature signal by the engine control module that directly heats the exhaust gas and also increases the load on the engine from the integrated starter/alternator/flywheel/retarder assembly that heats the exhaust gas.