Abstract: A method for operating a multicylinder internal combustion engine with at least one adsorber catalytic converter in the exhaust line of the internal combustion engine includes operating the adsorber catalytic converter with periodically alternating adsorption and desorption operation. The exhaust leaving the adsorber catalytic converter in desorption operation is recycled and/or an oxidation catalytic converter is provided upstream of the adsorber catalytic converter. Exhaust recycling takes place occurs selectively in only one set of the cylinders of the internal combustion engine and this set of cylinders is operated in a state of incomplete combustion during desorption operation. Rich afterburning may be performed during desorption operation of the adsorber catalytic converter in the oxidation catalytic converter connected upstream and the oxidation catalytic converter is operated at an increased temperature during short regeneration phases to remove soot.

Abstract: A motor vehicle exhaust emission control system has two adsorber parts connected in parallel for alternate adsorption and desorption of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust from an internal combustion engine and components for conducting further downstream the exhaust that emerges in the adsorber part that is operating at any given time in the adsorption mode and for returning the exhaust that emerges from the other adsorber part that is then operating in the desorption mode, to an intake line of the engine. An oxidizing converter is located upstream of the adsorber part and near the engine for oxidation of the NO contained in the exhaust to form NO.sub.2, so as to permit an increase in the NO.sub.X adsorption rate for the nitrogen adsorber parts.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the selective catalyzed NO.sub.x reduction in oxygen-containing exhaust gases of internal-combustion engines. For improving the reduction of nitric oxides, hydrocarbons and air are supplied to the exhaust gas purifier and, for producing reactive short-chained unsaturated hydrocarbons, a defined quantity of fuel from the stored fuel intended for the fuel supply of the internal-combustion engine is catalytically cracked and is oxidized by the simultaneous supply of air. The resulting species are guided into the exhaust gas flow of the exhaust gases which are to be purified.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduces particles in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine by passing the exhaust gases through a microwave energy field in a resonator for applying energy and burning the particles. In order to improve the application of energy, the particles are agglomerated beforehand in a high-voltage field of an electrostatic filter.