Catalytic converters play a crucial role in reducing vehicle emissions, particularly harmful pollutants like hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Here’s how they work:
Chemical Reactions: Inside the catalytic converter, there are catalysts, typically made of platinum, palladium, and rhodium, coated on a ceramic or metal honeycomb structure. These catalysts facilitate chemical reactions. For more information please visit rachat catalyseur
Oxidation and Reduction: There are two main types of reactions that occur:
Oxidation: Converts carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons (HC) to water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Reduction: Converts nitrogen oxides (NOx) back into nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
Three-Way Catalyst: Modern catalytic converters often use a “three-way catalyst” that can handle all three pollutants (HC, CO, NOx) simultaneously. It achieves this through careful control of the air-to-fuel ratio in the engine.
Exhaust System Integration: Catalytic converters are placed in the exhaust system close to the engine to ensure they reach operating temperature quickly. This temperature is crucial for the catalysts to be effective in converting pollutants.
Legal Requirement: In many countries, catalytic converters are mandatory for gasoline-powered vehicles to meet emission standards. They significantly reduce harmful emissions before they are released into the atmosphere.
Overall, catalytic converters are vital components that help vehicles comply with environmental regulations by reducing the emissions of harmful pollutants from internal combustion engines.
