Catalytic Converter

The Brief History of a Catalytic Converter

A catalytic converter, known as a tool that is generally placed on vehicles to clean air pollutants, was invented in the 19th century by the French mechanical engineer Eugene Houdry. The inventor had spent most of his career focusing on enhancing developments for better fuels for cars; however, by 1950, it began to be widely spread that cars generate numerous air pollutants that form environmental problems. Hence, Houdry started designing the catalytic converter to prevent the problem by cleaning the exhaust, turning approximately 90% of harmful emissions into less harmful gases.

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What is a catalytic converter?

A catalytic converter is a device that primarily employs a catalyst to transform harmful primary substances in the atmosphere into secondary compounds, which are less harmful compared to the initial substances. Nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are examples of primary pollutants. Beginning in 1975, automobiles sold in the US were required to include catalytic converters in order to prevent further environmental threats.

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How does the catalytic converter function?

A catalytic converter is also widely known as a three-way catalytic converter; the three-way catalytic converter. As its name suggests, transforms three types of pollutants, hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), into less harmful gases, such as N2, H2O, and CO2. For instance, the two common reactions occurring in the catalytic converter are the complete combustion of CO and hydrocarbons and converting nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen. 2CO + O2 → 2CO2 is the process of converting CO into CO2 and reducing hydrocarbons. NOx → N2 + O2 is the process of converting nitrogen oxides into N2 and O2.

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What are the positive effects of catalytic converters?

The catalytic converter aids in diminishing primary pollutants that pose risks to both human health and the environment, converting approximately 90% of detrimental emissions into less harmful gases. A properly maintained catalytic converter enhances a vehicle's efficiency, thereby directly impacting its overall well-being and performance. To be more specific, without converting one of the certain primary pollutants, NOx, the possibility of a respiratory irritant called photochemical smog being caused increases. Photochemical smog forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vehicles and industries, creating harmful pollutants like tropospheric ozone. The characteristic of photochemical smog is that it appears as a brownish haze over urban areas, causing respiratory issues and eye irritation. That being said, since the role of a catalytic converter is to reduce the amount of primary pollutants, it potentially decreases the likelihood of photochemical smog issues, affecting the environment positively in general.

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What are the side effects of catalytic converters?

The catalytic converter, situated beneath the vehicle between the engine and muffler, is susceptible to damage from impacts with curbs or road debris, potentially leading to overheating if exposed to excessive unburned gasoline or exhaust restrictions. This overheating can cause internal melting, posing a risk of external fires if temperatures become too high. Moreover, contamination from sources such as coolant leaks or burning oil can impede its efficiency, often indicated by the illumination of the check engine light. Despite their durability, catalytic converters may eventually degrade over time, typically lasting around 10 years or more before requiring replacement. These negative effects underscore the importance of regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and minimize environmental impact, which directly requires costly resolutions.

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Future aspects of using catalytic converter

As time progresses, innovations emerge from global integration: environmental pollutants will constantly increase. Despite recent efforts by many countries to curb fossil fuel usage and promote renewable energy sources to minimize air pollutants, current data suggests that environmental pollution will persist in the near future, given the continued widespread reliance on fossil fuel energy sources. Consequently, the prevalence of catalytic converters in vehicles is expected to rise as a means to mitigate air pollution.

References

https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-explained/catalytic-converters#:~:text=Eug%C3%A8ne%20Houdry%20invented%20the%20catalytic,catalytic%20converter%20to%20clean%20exhaust. https://www.seat.com/car-terms/t/three-way-catalyst#:~:text=As%20the%20name%20implies%2C%20the,platinum%2C%20rhodium%2C%20iridium). https://www.synchrony.com/blog/automotive/what-is-a-catalytic-converter-and-why-do-we-need-it.html#:~:text=The%20catalytic%20converter%20helps%20to,its%20overall%20health%20and%20performance. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/photochemical-smog#:~:text=Photochemical%20smog%20is%20a%20brownish,the%20ground%20by%20temperature%20inversion. https://www.cars.com/articles/what-are-common-catalytic-converter-problems-1420663031608/