Since their introduction іn the 1970s, 3-way catalytic converters have become the go-to technology for reducing automobile emissions. They filter harmful carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons out оf exhaust streams while also converting nitric oxides tо nitrogen and purifying fuel mixtures.
3 way catalytic converters typically work more efficiently іn gas streams with an optimal air-to-fuel ratio. Tо ensure efficient catalyst operation, precise control оf this ratio through oxygen sensors and on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems іs necessary.
What is a catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters are emissions control devices used by vehicles to meet stringent air quality regulations. They reduce three regulated pollutants-nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide-by converting them into less hazardous forms of pollution.
Catalytic converters do this through oxidation and reduction reactions, with nitrogen oxides contributing to air pollution while hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide being harmful to human health. By transforming these gases into less hazardous compounds, catalytic converters improve air quality while protecting human wellbeing.
Oxidation catalysts are used in gasoline engines to reduce CO and HC emissions while NOx reduction catalysts are utilized in diesel engines to cut NOx emissions. Both methods require precise air-to-fuel ratio control which requires them to be combined with oxygen sensors for effective results.
Due to their abundance of precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium found within catalytic converters, thieves frequently target these devices as targets of theft. Protective features like shields and killswitches help create an obstacle course for thieves trying to remove the device; making removal more challenging and slow thereby deterring theft while providing greater safety for vehicle occupants. These security measures also deter theft while keeping vehicle occupants secure.
How do catalytic converters work?
Modern cars feature three-way catalytic converters to handle emissions: nitrogen oxide (NOx), hydrocarbons and unburnt fuel. Ceramic blocks lined with precious metal catalysts – platinum, rhodium and palladium – provide an extremely large surface area for gases to pass over and trigger chemical reactions that reduce harmful pollutants while making your car run cleaner.
Three-way converters use sophisticated chemical processes to store and release oxygen efficiently. Their catalysts utilize advanced chemical principles to do just this, operating best when an engine operates within a narrow range of air/fuel ratios near stoichiometric point. If too lean of an air/fuel ratio occurs, its ability to reduce NOx drops dramatically; to maintain maximum effectiveness oxygen sensors on modern cars monitor this ratio continuously to signal catalytic converters to oscillate between rich and lean conditions for maximum reduction efficiency of NOx, HC and CO reduction efficiency of 98%!
How do catalytic converters reduce emissions?
Due to the Clean Air Act, most vehicles now utilize catalytic converters as part of their engine exhaust systems to reduce harmful emissions from internal combustion engines. These devices utilize precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium in order to convert pollutants into less toxic forms before leaving their engine’s exhaust system.
Modern cars feature air/fuel ratio controllers that precisely regulate the amount of air and gas for each combustion, so that each combustion occurs at an ideal stoichiometric ratio – perfect for catalytic converter performance and fuel economy improvement. This also helps the catalyst reduce CO, HC, NOx emissions as well as save on costs!
Modern three-way converters use oxides such as alumina and ceria-zirconia that are stable at high temperatures to support their catalyst. This is essential because melting noble metals compromises catalytic converters’ effectiveness; their high prices — particularly the increasingly valuable rhodium — have led criminals to steal catalytic converters from trucks and SUVs using reciprocating saws to reach into them and steal its precious metals.
What are the benefits of catalytic converters?
A three-way catalytic converter converts harmful pollutants from automobile exhaust gases into less harmful substances, including carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), into CO2 and H2O respectively; reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) into N2 and oxygen respectively; and removes toxic heavy metals like lead from exhaust emissions.
To facilitate these reactions, platinum and palladium precious metals are applied as catalysts on ceramic blocks shaped like honeycombs for use in three-way catalytic converters. This gives enough surface area for gases to pass over these catalysts efficiently.
Air-to-fuel ratio in an engine must be closely managed in order to remain within a small range near stoichiometric, in order to maximize pollution conversion by three-way catalytic converters. With fuel mixture compositions leaner than stoichiometric, NOx reduction efficiency drops substantially; APROVIS has developed high temperature tolerant corrosion resistant stainless steel alloy retainers which offer reliable support of inlet and outlet faces of substrates for maximum conversion efficiency.