UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Date Submitted:

20/11/17

The Catalytic Converter

Submitted to:

Mohamed Ali-Abdillah - 1712870 Dr M Bhowon

Rossaye-Zuleïkha Bibi Farheen - 1713194 Dr P Caumul

Narain Pravesh - 1713494 Chemistry Department

Papauretty Ghuzailah Widaad - 1710342

Saminaden Poullé-Marie Laiticia - 1712171

Sayed Moostafah-Nabeel Husain - 1711638

Shookye Kasturi Pallavi - 1711237

Surnam Bhooshansingh - 1715495

Ujoodha Parikshit - 1714775

DISTRIBUTION OF WORK
Tasks Person(s) in charge of
tasks
i. Identification and selection of a relevant chemical Shookye Kasturi Pallavi
process
[INTRODUCTION]
ii. Description of the selected chemical process and Rossaye-Zuleïkha Bibi
explaining its importance Farheen
[LITERARTURE REVIEW]
iii. Highlighting the essential aspects of chemistry and Ujoodha Parikshit
their individual application
[LITERATURE REVIEW + APPLICATION OF
CHEMISTRY]
iv. Proposing a suitable set of basic chemistry-related Surnam Bhooshansingh
calculations which represent the main
components/fields of chemistry being applied
[ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS]
v. Providing a suitable set of concluding notes to justify Saminaden Poullé-Marie
the use of chemistry in engineering Laiticia
[CONCLUSION]
vi. Enumeration of main lessons learnt from assignment Sayed Moostafah-Nabeel
[ABSTRACT + SUMMARY] Husain
vii. Use of tables and figures to present useful data Mohamed Ali-Abdillah
[LISTS AND TABLES + FIGURES]
viii. List of valid references and citations + Compliance to Narain Pravesh
style (Harvard system at UoM)
[LIST OF REFERENCES]
ix. Overall presentation of the assignment & structure Papauretty Ghuzailah Widaad

i
ABSTRACT
Air pollution generated from mobile sources is a problem of general interest. Vehicle population
is expected to grow close to 1300 million by the year 2030. Due to incomplete combustion in the
engine, there are a number of incomplete combustion products and these pollutants have negative
impact on air quality, environment and human health. Numbers of technology were considered
so far and the one which has proved to be the most effective is the catalytic converter. A catalytic
converter is device used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine.
Also, catalytic converters are most commonly used in motor vehicle exhaust systems. The
function of the catalytic convertor is to convert CO, HC and NO emissions into CO2, water, N2
and O2. Furthermore the catalytic converter is located in the exhaust system of the automobile,
approximately underneath the driver seat, between the engine output and the exhaust tailpipe.
This review paper discusses about the types of catalytic convertor, the limitation of catalytic
convertor and the applications of it.

ii
Table of Contents
DISTRIBUTION OF WORK .......................................................................................................... i
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................... 2
2.1 STEPS IN CATALYTIC REACTION ................................................................................. 2
2.2 POLLUTANTS PRODUCED BY CAR ENGINES ............................................................ 2
2.3 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR MECHANISM ..................................................................... 3
2.3.1 Type of Reaction involved ............................................................................................. 3
2.3.2 Two-Way Catalytic Converter ....................................................................................... 4
2.3.3 Three-Way Catalytic Converter ..................................................................................... 4
2.3.4 Limitations of 3 way catalytic convertor ....................................................................... 5
2.3.5 Controlling pollution and improving performance ........................................................ 6
2.3.6 Working process of catalytic convertor .................................................................... 7
3.0 APPLICATION OF CHEMISTRY IN CATALYTIC CONVERTOR ............................... 8
3.1 FORMATION OF POLLUTANTS ................................................................................. 8
3.2 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR MECHANISM ................................................................ 9
3.2.1 Action of catalyst in catalytic convertor ........................................................................ 9
4.0 ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS .............................................................................. 11
1. Non Catalyst Catalytic Convertor v/s Uncontrolled Exhaust Systems .............................. 12
2. 3 Way Catalyst Catalytic Convertor v/s Uncontrolled Exhaust System ............................ 12
3. 3 Way Catalyst v/s Non Catalyst Catalytic Convertor....................................................... 13
5.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 14
6.0 SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 15
7.0 ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 16
8.0 LIST OF REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 17
9.0 APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................ 18
9.1 DETAILED PICTURE OF CATALYST CONVERTOR .................................................. 18
9.2 DANGERS OF POLLUTANTS ......................................................................................... 19
9.3 DRAWBACKS OF CATALYTIC CONVERTOR ............................................................ 20

iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: combustion of fuel ........................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2: position of catalytic convertor in car ............................................................................... 7
Figure 3: reaction of nitrogen with oxygen..................................................................................... 8
Figure 4: energy level diagram with/without catalyst..................................................................... 9
Figure 5:effectivess of catalyst aginst temperature ....................................................................... 10
Figure 6: detailed picture of catalytic convertor ........................................................................... 18
Figure 7: dangers of NOx .............................................................................................................. 19

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: effectiveness of catalytic convertor ................................................................................ 11
Table 2: comparison between non catalyst catalytic convertor and uncontrolled exhaust system 12
Table 3: comparison between 3way catalyst and uncontrolled .................................................... 12
Table 4: comparison between 3 way catalyst and non-catalyst .................................................... 13

iv
 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Air pollution is one of the major environmental and health problems today due to the alarming
effects of global warming. One major contributor to this problem is exhaust fumes from vehicles
and industrial factories, which consist of mainly gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
and sulfur dioxide.

To solve those problems, cities, states and the federal government create clean-air laws that
restrict the amount of pollution that cars can produce. Over the years, automakers have made
many refinements to car engines and fuel systems to keep up with these laws.

One of these changes came about in 1975 with an interesting device called a catalytic converter.
The job of the catalytic converter is to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions
before they ever leave the car's exhaust system. The three harmful compounds are:

• Hydrocarbons (in the form of unburned gasoline)

• Carbon monoxide (formed by the combustion of gasoline)
C8H18 + (17/2) O2 8CO + 9H2O
• Nitrogen oxides (created when the heat in the engine forces nitrogen in the air to combine
with oxygen)

The catalytic convertor convert these harmful substances into less harmful substances such
carbon dioxide, water vapour and nitrogen gas.

(howstuffworks.com)

1
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 STEPS IN CATALYTIC REACTION
• Diffusion from the bulk fluid to the external surface of the catalyst pellet
• Diffusion of the reactant from the pore mouth through the catalyst pores to the
immediately internal catalytic surface
• Adsorption of reactant onto the catalyst surface
• Reaction on the surface of the catalyst
• Desorption of the product from the surface
• Diffusion of the products from the interior pellet to the mouth at external surface

2.2 POLLUTANTS PRODUCED BY CAR ENGINES

In order to reduce emissions, modern car engines carefully control the amount of fuel they burn.
They try to keep the air-to-fuel ratio very close to the stoichiometric point, which is the ideal
ratio of air to fuel. Theoretically, at this ratio, all of the fuel will be burned using all of the
oxygen in the air. For gasoline, the stoichiometric ratio is about 14.7:1, meaning that for each
mole of gasoline, 14.7 moles of air will be burned. The fuel mixture actually varies from the
ideal ratio quite a bit during driving. Sometimes the mixture can be lean (an air-to-fuel ratio
higher than 14.7), and other times the mixture can be rich (an air-to-fuel ratio lower than 14.7).

The main emissions of a car engine are:

• Nitrogen gas (N2) - Air is 78-percent nitrogen gas, and most of this passes right through
the car engine.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) – fuels reacts completely with air to produce carbon dioxide.
• Water vapor (H2O) - This is another product of combustion. The hydrogen in the fuel
bonds with the oxygen in the air.

Figure 1: combustion of fuel

2
These emissions are mostly benign, although carbon dioxide emissions are believed to contribute
to global warming. Because the combustion process is never perfect, some smaller amounts of
more harmful emissions are also produced in car engines. Catalytic converters are designed to
reduce all three:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is colorless and odorless.

• Hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds are a major component of smog
produced mostly from evaporated, unburned .fuel.
• Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2, together called NOx) are a contributor to smog and acid
rain, which also causes irritation to human mucus membranes.

2.3 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR MECHANISM

In the catalytic converter, there are two different types of catalyst at work, a reduction
catalyst and an oxidation catalyst. Both types consist of a ceramic structure coated with a metal
catalyst, usually platinum, rhodium and/or palladium. The idea is to create a structure that
exposes the maximum surface area of catalyst to the exhaust stream, while also minimizing the
amount of catalyst required, as the materials are extremely expensive. Some of the newest
converters have even started to use gold mixed with the more traditional catalysts. Gold is
cheaper than the other materials and could increase oxidation, the chemical reaction that reduces
pollutants, by up to 40 percent.

2.3.1 Type of Reaction involved

A two-way catalytic converter involved following reactions:

• Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide:

2CO + O2 → 2CO2 ∆H = -565.96 KJ/mol

Enthalpy change of reaction being negative shows that the reaction is exothermic.

• Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (unburnt and partially-burnt fuel) to carbon dioxide and
water:

CxH(2x+2) + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O

3
The above reaction is a combustion reaction which is an exothermic one since large amount of
heat is liberated during the reaction.

The following reactions take place in a three-way catalytic:

• Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen:

2NO2 → 2O2 + N2
• Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide:
2CO + O2 →2CO2

• Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water:

CxH(2x+2) + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O

2.3.2 Two-Way Catalytic Converter

Two simultaneous tasks are carried out in a two way catalytic converter, namely:

1. Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide:

2CO + O2 → 2CO2
2. Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (unburnt and partially-burnt fuel) to carbon dioxide
and water:
CxH(2x+2) + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O

The two way catalytic converter is used mainly in diesel engines so as to decrease the volume of
hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emitted in the atmosphere.

2.3.3 Three-Way Catalytic Converter

The three way catalytic converter is mostly used in vehicle emission control.

The three simultaneous tasks carried out by a three way catalytic converter are:

1. Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen:

2NO2 → 2O2 + N2
2. Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide:
2CO + O2 →2CO2

4
 3. Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water:
CxH (2x+2) + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O

These three reactions occur most efficiently when the catalytic converter receives exhaust from
an engine running slightly above the stoichiometric point which is in the range of 14.6 and 14.8
parts air to 1 part fuel, by weight, for gasoline. This ratio is not the same for all types of fuels
used.

2.3.4 Limitations of 3 way catalytic convertor

Normally, in engines which consists of a 3-way catalytic converters are equipped with a
computerized closed loop feedback fuel injection system employing one or more oxygen sensors.
Albeit, even though a 3-way catalyst can be used in an open-loop system, NOx reduction
efficiency is not that high.

Within a narrow fuel/air ratio band surrounding stoichiometry, all the three pollutants are nearly
completely converted to their respective products of reaction. However, beyond that band, there
is a significant decrease in the conversion efficiency. When there is an excess of oxygen, the
system is said to be running lean, and the system is in oxidizing condition. In this situation, the
converter's two oxidizing reactions (oxidation of Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) are
favored, at the expense of the reducing reaction. When there is more fuel than needed, then the
engine is said to be running rich. The reduction of NOx is favored, at the expense of the two
oxidation reactions.

There are several unwanted reactions that may take place in the three-way catalyst such as the
formation of odiferous hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. These byproducts can be reduced by
modifying the wash coat and precious metals used. It is very difficult to eliminate all these
byproducts entirely. For example, when controlling the formation of hydrogen sulfide emissions,
nickel or manganese is added to the wash coat. Both substances act to block the adsorption of
sulfur by the wash coat.

5
2.3.5 Controlling pollution and improving performance
The third stage of conversion is a control system that monitors the exhaust stream, and uses this
information to control the fuel injection system. There is an oxygen sensor mounted upstream of
the catalytic converter, meaning it is closer to the engine than the converter. This sensor tells the
engine computer how much oxygen is in the exhaust. The engine computer can increase or
decrease the amount of oxygen in the exhaust by adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio. This control
scheme allows the engine computer to make sure that the engine is running at close to the
stoichiometric point, and also to make sure that there is enough oxygen in the exhaust to allow
the oxidization catalyst to burn the unburned hydrocarbons and CO.

The catalytic converter does a great job at reducing the pollution, but it can still be improved
substantially. One of its biggest shortcomings is that it only works at a fairly high temperature.
When you start your car cold, the catalytic converter does almost nothing to reduce the pollution
in your exhaust.

One simple solution to this problem is to move the catalytic converter closer to the engine. This
means that hotter exhaust gases reach the converter and it heats up faster, but this may also
reduce the life of the converter by exposing it to extremely high temperatures. Most carmakers
position the converter under the front passenger seat; far enough from the engine to keep the
temperature down to levels that will not harm it.

6
2.3.6 Working process of catalytic convertor

Figure 2: position of catalytic convertor in car

The catalytic converter is situated between the engine and the tailpipe. It alters the chemical
composition of the exhaust gases.

1. Polluting gaseous molecules are pumped from the engine past the catalysts: platinum,
palladium, or rhodium.

2. The catalysts speed up the breaking of the molecules into atoms.

3. Then, the atoms recombine to form less harmful gaseous molecules such as carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, and water, which are emitted through the exhaust.

7
3.0 APPLICATION OF CHEMISTRY IN CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
3.1 FORMATION OF POLLUTANTS
The main pollutants produced by car engines are: unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide (CO),
oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

How are these compounds formed?

1) Unburnt hydrocarbons
There is presence of unburnt hydrocarbon in the engines when there have been no
reaction between hydrocarbon molecules present in the fuel and oxygen. These
compounds are present in very small amounts but due to high temperature of car engine,
they exist in gas state.
2) Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced due to incomplete combustion of fuel in the car engines.
Even though, oxygen may be in excess in the engine, yet incomplete combustion of fuels
may occur. This is because there are possibilities that oxygen may not come into full
contact with the fuel.
C8H18 + (17/2) O2 8CO + 9H2O
3) Oxides of Nitrogen
Nitrogen molecules exist as N2 molecules and have a triple bond between the atoms that
has high bond energy, i.e. it requires large amount of energy so as to be broken. For this
reason, nitrogen molecules are considered as relatively unreactive. But in engines, the
conditions like high temperature and pressure that prevails are enough to break the N≡N
bond so that it can react with oxygen to form oxides of nitrogen.

Figure 3: reaction of nitrogen with oxygen

8
3.2 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR MECHANISM
A catalytic convertor is a simple device that uses basic redox reactions to reduce amount of
pollutants emitted by vehicles. Redox reactions involve oxidations and reductions of compounds.
So the convertor uses oxidations and reductions reactions to detoxify the pollutants.

3.2.1 Action of catalyst in catalytic convertor

The catalytic convertor contains metals such as platinium, rhodium and palladium. No more than
4-9 g of these metals is required in a single convertor because catalysts are required in small
amounts as they remain unchanged at the end of the reaction. Moreover, the metals promote the
transfer of electrons that occur during the redox reactions.

The redox reactions below occur slowly without a catalyst; even if the processes are
thermodynamically favorable, they cannot occur without energy which is equal to the activation
energy (Ea in the figure below) required to overcome the initial energy barrier preventing the
reaction. A catalyst aids in the thermodynamic process by lowering the activation energy; the
catalyst itself does not produce a product, but it does affect the amount and the speed at which
the products are formed.

Figure 4: energy level diagram with/without catalyst

9
As the engine warms up, the temperature of the catalytic converter increases such that the
catalytic reactions that remove pollutants take place more effectively. The catalytic reactions are
heterogeneous, that is, gaseous molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of a ceramic monolith
consisting of the catalysts platinum, rhodium and palladium which then react with the atoms.

Why effectiveness of catalyst increases with increase in temperature?

This is because as temperature increases, both the pollutants (gas state) and the catalysts gain
kinetic energy such that the pollutants move faster and so collide with the catalyst on a higher
frequency. Thus more molecules are adsorbed on the surface and so the efficiency of catalytic
convertor increases.

Figure 5:effectivess of catalyst aginst temperature

So to increase temperature of catalytic convertor, an electric heater must be installed but this is
not required as reactions such as combustion of fuels, oxidation of CO and unburnt hydrocarbons
are exothermic. They release large amount of heat which increases the temperature of catalytic
covertor.

10
4.0 ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS

Table 1: effectiveness of catalytic convertor

Type of control Carbon Non- Metha Nitrog Nitro Carb Fuel

monoxi methane ne en us on efficiency
de volatile oxides oxide dioxi (liters per
organic de 100
compounds kilometers)
Advanced three-way catalyst control
Exhaust 6.20 0.38 0.04 0.52 0.019 200 8.4
Evaporative 0.09
Running loss 0.16
Resting 0.04
Total emissions 6.20 0.67 0.04 0.52 0.019 200
Early three-way catalyst
Exhaust 6.86 0.43 0.05 0.66 0.046 254 10.6
Evaporative 0.14
Running loss 0.16
Resting 0.06
Total emissions 6.86 0.79 0.05 0.66 0.046 254
Oxidation catalyst
Exhaust 22.37 1.87 0.10 1.84 0.027 399 16.7
Evaporative 0.39
Running loss 0.17
Resting 0.06
Total emissions 22.37 2.49 0.10 1.84 0.027 399
Non-catalyst control
Exhaust 27.7 2.16 0.15 2.04 0.005 399 16.7
Evaporative 0.70
Running loss 0.17
Resting 0.06
Total emissions 27.7 3.09 0.15 2.04 0.005 399
Uncontrolled
Exhaust 42.67 3.38 0.19 2.7 0.005 399 16.7
Evaporative 1.24
Running loss 0.94
Resting 0.06
Total emissions 42.67 5.62 0.19 2.7 0.005 399

In order to meet emission regulations, vehicle manufacturers developed catalytic converters. The
development of this technology is an environmental success story.

11
From table 1, the decrease in pollution since the introduction of the catalytic converter is evident.

1. Non Catalyst Catalytic Convertor v/s Uncontrolled Exhaust Systems

Non-catalyst v/s Uncontrolled
Non-
methane
volatile
Carbon organic Methan Nitrogen Nitrous Carbon
Types of control monoxide compounds e oxide oxide dioxide

Non catalyst 277 30.9 0.4 5.2 0.05 3990

uncontrolled 426.7 56.2 1.9 27 0.05 3990

Decrease in
gas emission 150 25.3 0.4 22.8 0 0
Table 2: comparison between non catalyst catalytic convertor and uncontrolled exhaust system

Decrease in gas emission = (Emission of uncontrolled catalyst – Emission of non-catalyst) x 10

. from Table 1 from Table 1

As per collected average values, a non-catalyst catalytic convertor reduces the amount of
emissions, compared to a vehicle having no catalytic convertor.

2. 3 Way Catalyst Catalytic Convertor v/s Uncontrolled Exhaust System

Three-way catalyst v/s Uncontrolled exhaust system
Non-
methane
Carbon volatile
monoxid organic Methan Nitrogen Nitrous Carbon
Gas e compounds e oxide oxide dioxide

Three way catalyst 62 6.7 0.4 5.2 0.19 2000

uncontrolled 427 56.2 1.9 27 0.05 3900

Decrease in
gas emission 365 49.5 1.5 21.8 -0.14 1990
Table 3: comparison between 3way catalyst and uncontrolled

Decrease in gas emission = (Emission of uncontrolled – Emission of 3 way catalyst) x 10

. from Table 1 from Table 1

12
3. 3 Way Catalyst v/s Non Catalyst Catalytic Convertor
Non-
methane
Carbon volatile Nitroge
Type of monoxid organic n Nitrous Carbon
control e compounds Methane oxide oxide dioxide
Three-way catalyst 62 6.7 0.4 5.2 0.19 2000
Non-catalyst 277 30.9 1.5 20.4 0.05 3990
Decrease in
gas emission 215 24.2 1.1 15.2 -0.014 1990
Table 4: comparison between 3 way catalyst and non-catalyst

Decrease in gas emission = (Emission of non-catalyst – Emission of three-way catalyst) x 10

. from Table 1.0 from Table 1.0

This table shows the importance of a catalyst in an exhaust fumes. The value shows the extent a
catalyst is effective in the system of a catalytic convertor. For example, using 3 way catalyst
convertor, gas emission of carbon monoxide is reduced by 215g , non-methane volatile organic
compounds by 24.2 g, amongst others, per 10km travelled.

13
5.0 CONCLUSION

The world we live in is highly industrialised which means a lot of pollution in many forms.
Emissions of toxic fumes from factories and vehicles’ exhaust are the main sources of air
pollution. The implementation of the catalytic converter in vehicles’ exhaust pipe has helped a
lot in the reduction of toxic fumes emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and
nitrogen oxides by converting them in less harmful fumes like nitrogen and oxygen gas as well
as carbon dioxide. Metals such as platinum provide a catalyst surface and as the temperature is
high in the car components, the toxic fumes react readily to get converted in the less harmful
substances. However, catalytic converters also have detrimental environmental effects.
Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are converted into carbon dioxide, which is one of the most
common greenhouse gases and contributes significantly to global warming.

Although the issue has not been completely solved, we cannot deny that the catalytic converter
has helped a lot in reduction of air pollution and so help abiding to emission of pollutants control
laws. Estimates have shown that cars running with gasoline and equipped with a catalytic
converter can convert over 90% of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen
oxides (NOx) from the engine into less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen and water vapour.
(http://ipa-news.com/index/news-und-debates/)

As the use of catalytic converters are not enough to cope with the impacts that exhaust smoke
has on the environment, alternatives such as using electric cars or trains can be implemented to
contribute saving the planet although there are limitations associated with it. Reducing the use of
fuel operated cars can also help. Instead using electric trains can help saving fuel money and
hence protect the environment.

14
6.0 SUMMARY
1) The catalytic convertor is being used in cars since the year 1975 to reduce pollution.
2) The catalytic convertor contains heterogeneous catalysts such as platinum, rhodium and
palladium which help to reduce the activation energy and therefore increasing the rate of the
reaction
3) There are two different types of catalytic convertor namely the two way and the three way
catalytic converter and in which the following reactions takes place.
➢ In the synthesis reaction 2 moles of carbon monoxide gas and 1 mole of oxygen gas
reacts in the catalytic convertor to produce 2 moles of carbon dioxide gas.

2CO + O2 → 2CO2

➢ In the decomposition reaction 2 moles of nitrogen dioxide gas decomposes into 2 moles
of oxygen gas and 1 mole of nitrogen gas.

2NO2 → 2O2 + N2

➢ In the combustion reaction hydrocarbons are oxidized and carbon dioxide and water
vapor are formed

CxH(2x+2) + 2xO2 → xCO2 + 2xH2O

The limitations when using a 3 way catalytic convertor is that unwanted reactions may
take place and which results in the formation of odiferous hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and it
decreases the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.

The main application of the catalytic convertor is that they convert harmful gases to
harmless one and hence reducing pollution

15
7.0 ACHIEVEMENTS

Today’s automobiles are meeting emission standards that require reductions of up to 99 percent
for HC, CO and NO compared to the uncontrolled levels of automobiles sold in the 1960s.

Catalytic converters have also been developed for use on trucks, buses and motorcycles as well
as on construction equipment lawn and garden equipment marine engines, factories and other
non-road engines.

Catalytic converters are also used to reduce emissions from alternative fuel vehicles powered by
natural gas, methanol, ethanol and propane.

To date more than 500 million vehicles equipped with catalytic converters have been sold
worldwide.

In 2005, 100 percent of new cars sold in the U.S. were equipped with a catalytic converter, and
worldwide over 90 percent of new cars sold had a catalyst.

Car and Driver magazine called the catalytic converter one of the century’s 10 best automotive
breakthroughs and the Society of Automotive Engineers selected the catalytic converter as one of
the automobile industry's 10 greatest achievements over the past 100 years.

16
8.0 LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Chemistry LibreTexts. (2017). Catalytic Converters. [online] Available at:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry/Kinetics/Case_Studie
s%3A_Kinetics/Catalytic_Converters [Accessed 18 Nov. 2017].
2. Hillier’s fundamentals of motor vehicle technology book 1 sixth edition, published by
oxford in association with the institute of motor industry.
3. https://www.carthrottle.com/post/what-is-a-catalytic-converter-and-why-do-you-need-one/
[Accessed 24 oct, 2017]
4. General chemistry lab tutorials. 2017. Catalytic converter. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/CourseTutorials/Tutorials/AirQuality
/CatalyticConverter.htm. [Accessed 30 October 2017]
5. Chemistry demo. 2017. Catalytic converter. [ONLINE] Available at:
https://chemdemos.uoregon.edu/demos/Catalytic-Converter. [Accessed 2 November 2017].
6. Automobile catalytic converters published by kathroene taylor first edition
7. Environmental chemistry published by Balram Pani in 2007, delhi
8. Article on catalytic converter for automobile diesel engines with absorption of hydrocarbons
on zeortes, published by David Kryl with the American chemistry society; 2005.
9. Textbook on inorganic chemistry ninth edition published by New age publishers.
10. Chemistry solutions by chegg 3rd edition
11. Petrucci, Ralph H., William S. Harwood, and Geoff E. Herring. General Chemistry:
Principles and Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2006.
12. Timberlake, Karen C. Chemistry : An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological
Chemistry. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Higher Education, 2008
13. Catalytic converters foil suicide bids: BBC News, 27 October 1998. A surprising benefit of
catalytic converters: by making exhaust emissions less toxic, they make it harder for people
to poison themselves with carbon monoxide.

17
9.0 APPENDIX
9.1 DETAILED PICTURE OF CATALYST CONVERTOR

Figure 6: detailed picture of catalytic convertor

18
9.2 DANGERS OF POLLUTANTS
Without the redox process to filter and convert the nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, and
hydrocarbons, the air quality (especially in large cities) becomes harmful to the human being.

Nitrogen oxides: These compounds are of the same family as nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid,
nitrous oxide, nitrates, and nitric oxide. When NOx is released into the air, it reacts, stimulated
by sunlight, with organic compounds in the air; the result is smog. Smog is a pollutant and has
adverse effects on children's lungs. NOx reacting with water produces acid rain, which is highly
corrosive. Acid rain corrodes cars, plants, buildings, national monuments and pollutes lakes and
streams to acidity unsuitable for fish. NOx can also bind with ozone to create biological mutations
(such as smog), and reduce the transmission of light.

Figure 7: dangers of NOx

Carbon monoxide: It is toxic once inhaled. It causes respiratory problems

Hydrocarbons: Inhaling hydrocarbons from gasoline, household cleaners, propellants,

kerosene and other fuels can be fatal to children. Further complications include central nervous
system impairments and cardiovascular problems

[Timberlake, Karen C. Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological

Chemistry. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Higher Education, 2008]

19
9.3 DRAWBACKS OF CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

Although the catalytic converter has helped reduce toxic emissions from car engines, it also has
detrimental environmental effects. In the conversion of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide is one of the most common greenhouse gases and
contributes significantly to global warming. Along with carbon dioxide, the converters
sometimes rearrange the nitrogen-oxygen compounds to form nitrous oxide. This is the same
compound used in laughing gas and as a speed enhancer in cars. As a greenhouse gas, nitrous
oxide is a 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and contributes proportionally to global
warming.

20