Method for regenerating at least one particle agglomerator and motor vehicle including an exhaust gas after-treatment system

Abstract

A method for regenerating at least one particle agglomerator of an exhaust gas after-treatment system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, includes operating the internal combustion engine in at least one operating phase in such a way that a sufficient portion of nitrogen dioxides is directly produced in the exhaust gas in order to ensure a conversion of particles containing carbon in the at least one particle agglomerator. A motor vehicle suitable for carrying out the method is also provided.

1 . A method for regenerating at least one particle agglomerator of an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
 operating the internal combustion engine at least in one operating phase to cause a proportion of nitrogen dioxides being sufficient to ensure a conversion of carbon-containing particles in the at least one particle agglomerator to be directly generated in the exhaust gas.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises causing the internal combustion engine to place a proportion of the nitrogen dioxides in a range of from 25% by volume to 60% by volume of all of the nitrogen oxides present. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises actively generating nitrogen dioxide solely with the internal combustion engine, up to the at least one particle agglomerator. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises increasing a proportion of an exhaust-gas flow recirculated into the internal combustion engine in the operating phase. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises reducing a combustion chamber temperature in the internal combustion engine in the operating phase. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises increasing a charge pressure in the internal combustion engine in the operating phase. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises increasing an oxygen content in the internal combustion engine in the operating phase. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises operating the internal combustion engine to generate carbon-containing particles in the exhaust gas, with a majority of the carbon-containing particles having a mean diameter of at most 200 nanometers. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises actively increasing a temperature of the exhaust gas at least in the operating phase. 
   
   
       10 . A motor vehicle, comprising:
 an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system having at least one continuously regenerable particle agglomerator being a bypass flow filter; and   an internal combustion engine being a sole active nitrogen dioxide source up to said at least one particle agglomerator.   
   
   
       11 . The motor vehicle according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one particle agglomerator includes, in a flow direction of the exhaust gas, at least one first zone, a second zone and a downstream end side, said second zone extending to said downstream end side and said second zone including an oxidation catalytic converter.