NOVELTY - The method of removing particles from a direct injection gasoline engine exhaust stream, comprises passing an engine exhaust stream carrying suspended carbonaceous particles into a charging zone in an exhaust passageway, generating a corona discharge in the charging zone effective to produce some charged carbonaceous particles, passing the exhaust stream and charged carbonaceous particles from the charging zone into a collection zone in downstream of the charging zone in the exhaust passageway, and electrostatically attracting the charged carbonaceous particles.    USE - The method is useful for removing particles from a exhaust stream of a direct injection gasoline engine (claimed), which is useful in heavy duty equipment such as trucks, trains, tractors and construction vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The method is capable of efficiently, rapidly, economically and easily removing particles of different sizes from the exhaust stream of the gasoline engine and safely converting the particles to harmless byproducts thus improving the fuel efficiencies of the diesel engine.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method of removing particles from a direct injection gasoline engine exhaust stream, comprises passing an engine exhaust stream carrying suspended carbonaceous particles into a charging zone in an exhaust passageway, generating a corona discharge in the charging zone effective to produce some charged carbonaceous particles, passing the exhaust stream and charged carbonaceous particles from the charging zone into a collection zone in downstream of the charging zone in the exhaust passageway, and electrostatically attracting the charged carbonaceous particles to an oppositely charged collecting surface within the collection zone. An assembly having an internal surface defining the exhaust passageway is provided for performing the method. The assembly includes a first electrode partially disposed in an upstream portion of the exhaust passageway forming the charging zone, and a particulate collector supporting the oppositely charged collecting surface partially disposed in a downstream portion of the exhaust passageway forming the collection zone. The corona discharge is generated from the first electrode. An electrical potential is applied to the particulate collector that is sufficient to cause some of the charged carbonaceous particles to be deposited on the collecting surface. The exhaust stream exclusive of the particles deposited on the collecting surface is exited through the exhaust passageway. The collecting surface comprises a catalyst. Some of the particles deposited on the collecting surface are chemically reacted upon contact with the collecting surface. The particles deposited on the collecting surface are catalytically reacted to form carbon dioxide and water. The exhaust stream includes nitrogen oxides and water vapor. The catalyst supports reactions among the nitrogen oxides, the water vapor, and the carbonaceous particles. The temperature of the exhaust stream is sufficient to support catalytic reactions including reductions of nitrogen oxides to diatomic nitrogen. The carbonaceous particles include particles below 1 mu m in size. The step of passing the exhaust stream and charged carbonaceous particles from the charging zone into the collection zone is carried out while electrically isolating the collection zone from the charging zone. The suspended carbonaceous particles are transported through the charging zone without deposition on exhaust passageway surfaces within the charging zone. The exhaust stream is split into sub-streams within the particulate collector. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for an electrostatic exhaust particulate reactor.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic perspective cutaway view of an exhaust gas reactor.    Gas reactor (1)    Outer enclosure (2)    Insulators (4, 6)    Counter electrode (12)    Ionizing electrode (14)    Connection flanges. (16)