DETERIORATED STATE EVALUATION DEVICE FOR EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL EQUIPMENT

摘要

A humidity sensor 4 is disposed downstream of an exhaust gas purifier comprising a hydrocarbon adsorbing catalyst 2, and an air-fuel ratio sensor 5 is disposed at least downstream of the exhaust gas purifier. The hydrocarbon adsorbing ability of a hydrocarbon adsorbent of a hydrocarbon adsorbing catalyst 2 (the exhaust gas purifier) is evaluated using output data of the humidity sensor 4. The unburned gas purifying ability based on a catalytic action of the hydrocarbon adsorbing catalyst 2 is evaluated using output data of the air-fuel ratio sensor 5. Based on the evaluated results, the overall deteriorated state of the exhaust gas purifier is evaluated. The overall deteriorated state of the exhaust gas purifier which has the hydrocarbon adsorbing catalyst 2 can thus adequately be evaluated. <IMAGE>