A map which defines a relationship of an exhaust gas pressure P2 at the
outlet of a filter (13) to a load Q and rotation speed Ne of an engine
(1) is prepared, and an exhaust gas pressure P1 at the inlet to the
filter (13) is determined from a differential pressure .DELTA.P between
the front and rear of the filter and the outlet pressure P2 obtained by
referring to the map. The inlet pressure P1 determined in this manner is
used to determine an exhaust gas volumetric flow rate Q1, and thus an
accurate particulate accumulation SM, which is required to determine the
need for regeneration of the filter (13), can be calculated.