Method for the regeneration of the catalytic activity of a catalyst, which is arranged in the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine and fulfills at least one oxidation function

The process regenerates a diesel engine exhaust catalytic converter with a honeycomb structure devoid of filter function. In the process, the exhaust gas catalyst inlet temperature is raised to above 450 degrees C, incinerating the soot and hydrocarbons to at least partially regenerate the converter. The process regenerates a diesel engine exhaust catalytic converter with a honeycomb structure devoid of filter function. The honeycomb has an active coating with oxidation function and blocked by surface deposits of soot and hydrocarbons. In the process, the exhaust gas catalyst inlet temperature is raised to above 450 degrees C, incinerating the soot and hydrocarbons to at least partially regenerate the converter. The catalytic inlet temperature is raised by fuel injection, late combustion, multi-stage combustion, external heat or a burner positioned near the inlet. The catalyst is regenerated by treatment at regular intervals of between 100 and 1000 hours, or at service intervals between 500 and 15,000 km. Regeneration takes place when the catalyst carbon monoxide emissions exceed a pre-determined value. After every fifth to 50th regeneration process, the inlet temperature is raised to above 600 degrees C while the mixture is enriched for a short period with sulfates. The catalytic converter is a diesel oxidation catalytic unit, an SCR catalyst, a hydrolysis catalyst, an HC-denox catalyst or a four-way catalyst.