New Generation for Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converter is a device that reduces the toxicity of vehicle emissions. It works in two stages: the reduction and oxidation catalysts. Reduction catalyst is the first catalytic converter stage. Here, platinum and rhodium were utilized to help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. On the other hand, the second stage is the oxidation catalyst. In this stage, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are reduced by burning them over a platinum and palladium catalyst. Both types of catalyst or stages are composed of ceramic structure coated with metal catalyst. Metal catalysts are usually platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

 

Catalytic converter is included in the emission system. It is installed in the exhaust line, between the exhaust manifold and muffler. It contains chemicals, which causes reaction with exhaust pollutants. These pollutants are converted into less toxic ones as they pass through the catalytic converter. With several processes, the pollutants will be released to the environment into less harmful form. Plus, there are the so-called three-way dual bed converter and two-way pellet type converter. Actually, materials inside the catalytic converter vary depending upon the vehicle make and model. Newer ones have two-part design. The three-way catalyst as its front half burns pollutants and reduces emissions. Thus, the normal oxidation catalyst is the rear section. Air is injected into the center of these converters. Then, air mixes with the exhaust before passing through the oxidation catalyst. Simply, the mechanism behind catalytic converter is to reduce toxic emissions through conversion and breaking emissions into less toxic by-products.

 

The use of automotive catalysts like those aforementioned can now be reduced due to the invention of Nano-driven catalytic converter. This is a new generation for catalytic converters. This nanotechnology is used by Japan’s Mazda Motor Corporation. It uses 70 to 90 percent less of the precious metal aforementioned in transforming exhaust gases into less toxicity. It utilized nano particles of catalytic metal, less than 5 nanometers studded on tiny ceramic sphere’s surface. Instead of larger particles of those precious metals, nano particles were used. With that, less metal is needed to produce same surface area over the catalyst’s ceramic base.

 

The main benefit of the Nano-driven catalytic converter is cost savings. This is because the use of platinum, rhodium, and palladium may affect their costs. Aside from cost saving, the use of this technology also provides some health benefits. Since ongoing researches suggest that emissions of platinum-group metals along US highways might be the cause of increasing allergies and asthma.

 

The invention of new generation catalytic converter is helpful. But, you should still bear in mind that no matter how tough and highly engineered is your catalytic converter, it can also be damaged. In fact, there are ways to determine if the catalytic converter fails. One is by testing procedures like those used in state and local inspection programs. Thus, there are some symptoms that call for catalytic converter replacement. These symptoms are broken or rusted out converter body or end tubes, bits of substrate in other sections of the exhaust system, if converter doesn’t rattle that means pellets have melted together or fallen out, and a rattle in monolithic converter. Aside from that, your vehicle may produce bad emissions if the catalytic converter is defective. Once your catalytic converter malfunctions, replace it immediately. If it is neglected, you might be risking your vehicle. Plus, you might contribute greatly to air pollution.

 

Watch out for the Nano-driven catalytic converter! Who knows, there will come a time where the said technology will led to zero emission! Well, nowadays it is still an exaggeration. But, you can make your vehicle’s emission less by maintaining your catalytic converter. The bottom line is clean and fresh air!