Exhaust gas particulate purifying process for internal combustion engine

Abstract

For regenerating an exhaust gas particulate collecting filter, there is provided an exhaust gas particulate purifying process in which damage to the filter caused by a thermal action can be prevented and further electric power can be saved when an electric current supply to an electric heater attached to the filter is controlled. In the filter container (4), an electric heater (21) is provided on an end surface of the filter on an upstream side with respect to a regenerating gas flow, or provided at a position close to the end surface. Also, a temperature sensor (22) for measuring a temperature of the filter is provided inside the filter or at a position close to an end surface of the filter opposite to the aforementioned end surface. Further, there is provided a first controller (13) for determining an appropriate current amount to be supplied to the electric heater and also for determined an electric power reducing pattern used in the case of stoppage of power supply, in accordance With the filter preheating temperature immediately before the start of regeneration detected by the temperature sensor (22). A second controller ( 17) controls a current amount supplied to the electric heater (21) in accordance with a command given by the first controller (13).