Method of detoxification of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine using a catalytic system, and apparatus for performing the method

The invention relates to a method for detoxification of the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine 1 using a catalytic system. The main toxic components in the exhaust gas mixture are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons. The main toxic components CO and NOx are liberated from their interdependent relationship. The production of the main toxic components is quantitatively varied individually by regulation of separate combustion chambers. The toxic components from exhaust gas pipes of the respective combustion chambers are combined, in such a manner that in accordance with the proportions of the main toxic components, the composition of the exhaust gas mixture enables complete catalytic after-combustion conversion thereof in a known manner. An internal combustion engine has at least two combustion chambers having independent fuel preparation systems, which regulate the combustion process in terms of the proportions of the main toxic components in such a manner that quantitatively predetermined proportions of toxic substances in the exhaust gases are produced. After being mixed, the toxic components are detoxified practically completely with known catalytic systems. In an internal combustion engine operating on the self-ignition principle, if there is an insufficient amount of the main toxic component carbon monoxide for complete catalytic detoxification of the exhaust gas mixture, additional CO is supplied to the catalytic converter from a separate CO source.