In the automobile technology segment's edition, the automotive experts of Belanger bring catalytic converters' relevance, classification, and functioning. Before beginning to explain catalytic converters, let's discuss the exhaust gas emissions from a vehicle.
In regular fuel, atoms of hydrogen and carbon are arranged in various proportions to form molecules of petrol or diesel. Essentially, after treating natural resources, the product obtained is the hydrocarbon chains. Depending on the number of carbon atoms and chain length, it is classified as petrol or diesel.
Catalytic Converter: Definition
A catalytic converter is a significant part of an automobile's exhaust system that converts toxic by-products to less toxic products by performing catalyzed redox chemical reactions. The harmful compounds mainly include nitrogen gas, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, etc. A catalytic converter device in automobiles reduces overall harmful emissions, making your car eco-friendlier.
Need for Catalytic Converter
In an engine combustion system, engines release many harmful gases while powering a vehicle because gasoline contains over 100 chemicals, including hydrocarbons and additives. Air pollution through engines include various organic compounds, some percent of nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. The catalytic converter transforms these harmful gases into less toxic ones.
The catalytic converters react with these harmful exhaust gases and transform them into harmless gases usually found in the atmosphere. The process includes the conversion of harmful carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides to molecules of nitrogen and oxygen gases. The unburnt hydrocarbons reduce carbon dioxide and water and exhaust from the engine through the tailpipe into the atmosphere. Thus, this is the sole purpose of the catalytic converters in the vehicles. Depending on the complexity, there are various forms of catalytic converters.
How do reactions in catalytic converters occur?
Catalytic converters are mainly accountable for reducing harmful compounds to less toxic ones like oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), nickel (Ni), and water (H2O) through a chemical procedure that quickly reduces the compounds before they leave the vehicle.
These catalytic converters include catalysts that convert the harmful compounds within the converter, making the procedure significantly quicker and reduces different compounds in very little time.
Platinum is widely used in different areas through catalytic converters to reduce toxic compounds. In catalytic converters, the first and second stages mainly involve both reduction and oxidation catalysts. The reduction catalyst occurs from platinum & radium, whereas the oxidation occurs from platinum and palladium.
The last phase of the reaction comprises the engine with an oxygen sensor & it detects how much oxygen is within the exhaust system. Here, fuel injection mainly depends on how much fuel is infused into the gas chambers.
For instance, if the oxygen is presently less and the converter needs more time, low fuel will be infused until oxygen levels are superior and balance the complete pollutants which are generated from the exhaust system. There is also a two-phase catalytic converter that performs differently. The primary phase decreases nickel oxide (NiO2), whereas the secondary phase decreases CO and hydrocarbons.
Types of Catalytic Converters used in cars:
There are three types of Catalytic converters used in cars: oxidation catalyst, dual bed catalyst, and three-way.
Oxidation Catalyst
The oxidation catalyst is the first catalytic converter to decrease the harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and fuel hydrocarbon within the exhaust system, utilizing an inferior air injection. But, this type of catalyst decreases some of the pollutants.
Platinum and palladium are the catalysts used inside the catalytic converter that assists the chemical reaction. The nitrogen and oxygen atoms from the reduction reaction combine with carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons to give carbon dioxide and water vapors as the end products.
Dual-Bed Catalyst
Dual-bed catalyst is the second catalyst that provides more perfection, mainly working within two stages; In the first stage, the converter decreases the emission quantity from NiO2. The second phase responds through the hydrocarbons formed through unburned carbon mono oxide and fuel using secondary air injection.
Three-Way Catalytic Converter
Three-way catalytic converter aids in changing the dangerous gases into harmless ones generated from the car engine. The car engine exhausts different gases, including hazardous substances that cause harm to the atmosphere like NiO2, CO, CO2, etc.
Nowadays, in modern cars, three-way catalytic converters are used. This device decreases all three pollutants and performs more economically by converting them into less harmful CO2, nitrogen & water. So, most designers use this type of converter within their cars which requires them to meet extreme emission values.
How to choose the best Catalytic Converter for your car?
The catalytic converter controls the emission of harmful gases through a car's exhaust system. In many countries, a yearly inspection for emissions is necessary to renovate your vehicle registration. If your car fails the annual emissions inspection, there is a chance to replace the catalytic converter unit.
Selecting the correct catalytic converter can be challenging for you, so to make it simple, keep these points while choosing the catalytic converter for your car:
· Check the model and making year.
· know the level of emission for your vehicle.
· know and understand the exact converter grade.
· Choose the configuration for the installation.
· Check the oxygen sensor.
Summary
The catalytic converter plays a vital role in reducing pollution by limiting the harmful emissions and gases created in the engine and the exhaust systems of all cars across the globe.
Call the auto repair experts at Belanger's if your catalytic converter isn't working correctly, or you have exhaust system problems. The experts will get to the source of the problem and make the repairs you need to pass your emissions requirements and keep your vehicle performing at its best.
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