An average car has about thirty thousand pieces, each of which serves a certain purpose. Each automobile is a complicated assemblage of these components, from the basic nuts and bolts holding things together to the motor core. Thus, you most likely already understand that an automobile has a catalytic converter, but that’s likely all there is to it. The fact that a catalytic converter’s primary job is to turn toxic pollutants into less hazardous emissions before they escape an automobile’s exhaust system might shock you.
Catalytic converters: What are they?
These work by reacting through oxidation with the harmful gases released by an automobile’s engine to create innocuous gases like carbon dioxide along with water vapour. Thus, as they help decrease air contamination and safeguard us from the adverse impacts of toxic gases emitted by combustion engines, the application of catalytic converters is even mandatory in a few countries.
What is the operation of a catalytic converter?
Every motorcycle and car that uses gas contains internal combustion engines that release toxic gases. Of these pollutants, volatile organic compounds and Nitrogen dioxide are present among them; Carbon monoxide as well. The primary usage of a catalytic converter is the reduction of the amount of pollutants being released & transforming these pollutants into less hazardous substances such as carbon dioxide and steam. There are two ceramic honeycomb pieces, the oxidation catalyst and reduction catalyst situated inside the catalytic converter. Both have valuable metal coatings on them. The catalysts undergo exposure to hot exhaust from the engine as it passes through one side of the catalytic converter. The contaminants in the exhaust are broken down chemically into less toxic gases as a result of this exposure. The vehicle’s tailpipe is where the pollutants eventually depart through the opposite end.
Is a Catalytic Converter in My Car? Do I Require One?
In most cases, the answer is yes if the vehicle was made after 1975. Dangerous nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide are released by every vehicle on the road. Millions of cars are driven every day, which means that smog and pollution can cause serious issues. Pollution of the environment, deteriorating air quality, & respiratory ailments are all caused by exhaust emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened emissions control laws in the middle of the 1970s to counteract these detrimental consequences, and with the catalytic converter’s creation in 1975, it has grown into a necessary part of every car.
Why Are Complete Exhaust Systems So Dependent on Catalytic Converters?
In this way, the usage of catalytic converters also helps in sustaining superior quality air as they reduce such dangerous emissions long before they are released out into the atmosphere. Otherwise, CO emissions by cars could go up significantly higher; this can be harmful not only to us as humans, but to the animals and plants that are around us as well. Given the kind and age of the car, catalytic converters are very effective devices which will decrease emissions by up to 95%. As a result, they play a significant role in the endeavour to lessen motor vehicle-related air pollution. Additionally, catalytic converters contribute to vehicle safety. They are designed to warm up upon the high levels of concentrations of the exhaust gas to prevent the occurrence of potentially risky events such as backfires or even fuel ignition at the wrong time. Through the application of high-quality materials in the manufacturing of the converters, catalytic converters can ensure the proper operations of an automobile’s exhaust system by releasing less hazardous substances from hazardous gaseous substances and can withstand extremely high temperatures.
Within a catalytic converter, three primary processes occur:
Oxidation:
The catalyst allows generation of the CO2 and H2O from the reactions of CO with the O2 as well as the unburned hydrocarbons.
Reduction:
Another process that is also catalyzed by the catalytic converter is the conversion of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
Hydrocarbon Conversion:
These are some of the products that include water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the presence of a catalytic converter using unburned hydrocarbons (HC).
The chemical processes also aim at increasing the effectiveness of this catalytic converter in cutting down some lethal gases such as; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, & unburned hydrocarbons.
How to Determine the Quality of a Catalytic Converter
There are numerous signs indicating your catalytic converter may be damaged. You should not ignore the minor indications of a sluggish automobile engine or decreased acceleration; instead, have the issue identified as quickly as possible by a professional. More obvious indicators of a malfunctioning catalytic converter are dark exhaust smoke & the smell of sulphur or rotten eggs coming from your exhaust.
Final Words
To safeguard the environment while lowering harmful emissions from cars, catalytic converters are essential. Catalytic converters serve an essential role in minimising air pollution, lowering the influence on the ozone layer, & guaranteeing adherence to emission requirements by facilitating chemical processes which transform dangerous gases into less damaging chemicals.
