Method of cleaning exhaust gases

A method of catalytically treating and cleaning internal combustion exhaust gases comprising hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide while avoiding overheating and thermal destruction of the catalyst bed under operating conditions, said method including:

• providing a catalyst-containing reaction area communicated to the exhaust gas conduit of an internal combustion engine;
• supplying exhaust gases to the catalyst reaction area from an operating internal combustion engine;
• supplying from a pumping means secondary air in contact with the heated exhaust conduit of the engine and heating the secondary air prior to introduction into the catalyst reaction area;
• directing the heated secondary air into the catalyst reaction area together with the exhaust gases causing the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide components of the exhaust gases to be oxidized by the catalyst to carbon dioxide and water, and discharging the reaction products, including the cleaned and heated exhaust gases, to the atmosphere;
• discontinuing the supply of heated secondary air to the catalyst reaction area while continuing the supply of secondary air in contact with the heated exhaust conduit and discharging this heated air directly to the atmosphere when the temperature of the catalyst reaches a predetermined temperature prior to thermal destruction of the catalyst, causing the exhaust gases passing into the catalyst reaction area to be cooled and substantially or completely discontinue the catalytic reaction occurring in the reaction area, thereby effectively reducing the temperature of the catalyst bed;
• and
• continuing to supply the heated secondary air to the catalyst reaction area when the catalyst bed has returned to the temperature below the predetermined temperature.