Catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine and method for operating a catalytic converter

A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a housing having opposite first and second ends;
• a pipe passing through the housing, the pipe having opposite first and second end portions, the first end portion of the pipe being disposed to receive exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine and being secured to the first end of the housing, the second end portion of the pipe being secured to the second end of the housing, an annular channel being defined between the pipe and the housing, first recesses passing through the pipe and communicating with the annular channel at a location in proximity to the first end of the housing and second recesses extending through the pipe and communicating with the annular channel at a location in proximity to the second end of the housing;
• and
• a catalyst element wound around parts of the pipe in the annular channel, wherein
• the catalyst element is a ribbed tube formed such that fluid can flow around and through the catalyst element, and a surface of the ribbed tube of the catalyst element that faces the exhaust gas has a plurality of ribs on which a catalytic layer is provided.