MOHAWK ® CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Introduction Millions of cars on the road are a source of air pollution. The amount of pollution that all the cars produce together can create big problems. Government create clean-air laws that restrict the amount of pollution that cars can produce to solve it. Automakers have made many improvement to car engines and fuel systems to keep up with these laws. In 1975 an interesting device called a catalytic converter was created. Catalytic converter is to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they ever leave the car's exhaust system.

The exhaust from the combustion in a cars engine is comprised of six main ingredients. 1.Nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are three of the main emissions. These gases do not cause damage to the atmosphere. 2.Carbon Monoxide, other hydrocarbons, and Nitrogen Oxides result in a majority of the pollution caused by cars.  Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can kill you if too much is inhaled.  Hydrocarbons come out of an engine's exhaust from unburned fuel. These hydrocarbons can be broken down by the sun, creating ground level ozone, also known as smog.  Nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain. Catalytic converters are designed to reduce these last three emissions.

What is Catalytic Converter A device installed on vehicle that used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. Most commonly used in motor vehicle exhaust systems and other engine-equipped machines. Provides an environment for a chemical reaction wherein toxic combustion by-products are converted to less-toxic substances. a)Location of catalytic converter

Construction The catalytic converter consists of several components: The core is often a ceramic/stainless steel foil honeycomb. - increases the amount of surface area -support the catalyst. Also called a "catalyst support“. b) Ceramic honeycombc) Stainless steel honeycomb

A wash coat is used to make converters more efficient because a mixture of silica and alumina. -will forms a rough and irregular surface. -more surface area. - therefore more places for active precious metal sites. - The catalyst is added to the wash coat before applied it to the core. Platinum is the most active catalyst and is widely used. Other material such as Palladium and rhodium also been used.

d) Catalytic Converter diagram

Types Three-ways Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen: 2NOx → xO2 + N2 Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide: 2CO + O2 → 2CO2 Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water: CxH2x+2 + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O Two-ways Only treat carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon.

Oxidation Catalysts - Oxidation catalysts may be fitted to either petrol or diesel cars. -The catalyst oxidises is effective at pollutants formed by incomplete combustion to carbon dioxide and water, and also for hydrocarbons, aldehydes and carbon monoxide. However, they do not reduce NOx emissions.

Negative aspects Restriction to the flow of exhaust will cause negatively affected vehicle performance, and fuel economy. Although catalytic converters are effective at removing hydrocarbons but most of the release gas through it is carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Theft - external location -valuable metal (platinum, palladium, and rhodium)

Conclusion The catalytic converter is a great thing to have on a car because of its ability to help save the environment from those harmful gases

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