Method for testing the functional capability of a catalytic converter with an oxygen sensor

摘要

A method for testing the functional capability of a catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine uses an exhaust-gas probe having a measuring electrode for measuring the resistance of a metal oxide layer having low catalytic activity. The resistance of the metal oxide layer is dependent on the oxygen partial pressure in the exhaust gas, for a predetermined air factor. The conversion rate of a catalytic converter has an effect on the oxygen partial pressure in the exhaust gas downstream of the catalytic converter, so that the resistance of the metal oxide layer depends on the conversion efficiency of the catalytic converter. It is thus possible to test the functional capability of the catalytic converter with the simply constructed exhaust-gas probe using a simple resistance measurement.