Catalytic afterburning is a modern method for cleaning industrial exhaust air using a precious metal-containing catalyst. This process is used to remove harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants, especially CO, from exhaust air streams before they are released into the environment and negatively impact air quality.

KNV is based on a chemical reaction in which pollutants are oxidized with the help of a catalyst at relatively low temperatures. The catalysis lowers the activation energy of the reaction, allowing for high conversion rates even at temperatures between 250 °C and 400 °C. In this process, the pollutants are converted into two environmentally harmless substances: water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

KNV systems are used in numerous industries, such as the chemical industry, painting, printing, and food production. Besides high throughput in chemical reactions, this process is characterized by low energy consumption compared to regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) because lower temperatures are required.

Modern systems are equipped with energy-efficient heat recovery units, making operation even more environmentally friendly. As a result, catalytic afterburning not only contributes to environmental protection but also helps to comply with legal emission limits and reduce operating costs.