Method for operating a purification device for gases as well as a purification device for gases

The present invention relates to a method for operating a catalyst for gases, especially for exhaust gases of stoichiometrically operated gasoline engines, wherein a catalyst is exposed to a gas stream and pollutants are catalytically converted. To improve the elimination of pollutants in the starting phase, hydrocarbons present in the gas are temporarily stored by the catalyst at temperatures below a response temperature of the catalyst, particularly below 200 DEG C., and preferably below 150 DEG C. The hydrocarbons are then released at temperatures above the response temperature and the pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, are catalytically converted with reducing agents, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and mixtures thereof. The catalyst is a spinel, such as (MgCu)Al2O4, which may also include a catalytically active species, such as WO3, V2O5 and TiO2.