Patent ID: 8596048

Claim:
A method for operating a device for purification of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine operated with an excess of air, the method comprising the following steps: a) heating at least one heating apparatus of the device to a temperature above a predetermined first setpoint temperature, the at least one heating apparatus being at least partially in communication with the exhaust gas, configured to be activated by electrical energy and formed at least partially with an oxidation coating; b) subsequently monitoring at least the temperature of the at least one heating apparatus or of the exhaust gas; c) initiating an increase in a hydrocarbon fraction of the exhaust gas if at least: the temperature of the heating apparatus or of the exhaust gas has reached a threshold temperature, or a low-load phase of the internal combustion engine is present; and d) determining if step c) will prevent the at least one heating apparatus from cooling down to below a second setpoint temperature, and if the determination is negative, additionally intermittently activating the at least one heating apparatus with electrical energy.