Adsorbent state determining apparatus

摘要

An adsorbent state determining apparatus is provided for accurately determining the state of an adsorbent including a deterioration while ensuring elimination of the influence of impurities sticking on a sensor element of a humidity sensor. The adsorbent state determining apparatus determines the state of an adsorbent disposed in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for purifying exhaust gases. The adsorbent is capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture within exhaust gases. The adsorbent state determining apparatus comprises a humidity sensor disposed near the adsorbent in the exhaust system for detecting a humidity of exhaust gases; a heater for executing cleaning for removing impurities sticking on a sensor element of the humidity sensor; and an ECU for determining whether or not the heater has completed the cleaning, and for determining the state of the adsorbent in accordance with the humidity of exhaust gases detected by the humidity sensor when the ECU determines that the cleaning is completed.