Why should cars have catalytic converters?
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Why should cars have catalytic converters?

Cars are perhaps one of the greatest inventions in human history. Thanks to these incredibly convenient and comfortable vehicles, today we can quickly move, transport goods, travel around the world.

Along with the convenience and comfort that they provide us, our cars pollute the environment and reduce the quality of the air we breathe.

How do cars pollute the air?

Everyone knows that car engines operate primarily on gasoline or diesel. Both products are made from oil. It, in turn, consists of hydrocarbons. For the engine to work, air is added to the fuel to efficiently burn the fuel mixture and generate torque for the car to move.

During combustion, gases such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides are formed, which exit through the exhaust system of the car and are the main culprits in increasing harmful emissions. The only way to reduce them is to install a catalytic converter in the car's exhaust system.

What is a car catalyst?

The catalytic converter is a metal structure that is attached to the exhaust system of the car. The main objective of the catalytic converter is to trap harmful exhaust gases from the car engine in order to change their molecular structure. Only then they pass into the exhaust system and are removed to the atmosphere.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

Why should cars have a catalytic converter?

The harmful groups of gases generated in automobile engines are mainly three:

  • Hydrocarbons - A hydrocarbon is an organic compound made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms that is released as unburned gasoline. In large cities, it is one of the reasons for the formation of smog.
  • Carbon monoxide is formed during the combustion of fuel in an engine and is extremely harmful to breathing.
  • Nitrogen oxides are substances released into the atmosphere that form acid rain and smog.

All these harmful gases pollute the environment, air and harm not only nature, but also all living creatures on the planet. The more cars in cities, the more harmful emissions enter the atmosphere.

The catalytic converter can cope with them, transforming them and making them harmless to humans and nature. This is done by catalysis, which occurs inside the element.

How does the catalyst work?

If an incision is made in the metal body of the catalyst, then we can see that it consists mainly of a ceramic honeycomb structure along which thousands of microcellular channels resembling honeycombs are located. The liner is coated with a thin layer of precious metals (platinum, rhodium or palladium), which act as a catalyst.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

When harmful gases pass from the engine to the converter, they pass through the precious metals. Due to the characteristics of the material and high temperatures, chemical reactions (reduction and oxidation) are formed in the catalyst that turn harmful gases into nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide and water. Thus, the exhaust is converted into harmless gases that can be safely released into the atmosphere.

Thanks to this element and the introduction of strict laws to reduce harmful emissions from automobile exhausts, almost all EU member states can boast of reducing harmful emissions in cities.

When did they start installing catalysts in cars?

Until the beginning of the 1960s, the world did not even wonder whether cars moving on the streets could harm nature and people. However, with the increase in the number of cars in American cities, it became obvious what could happen in connection with this. To determine the danger, a group of scientists conducted a study on the impact of exhaust gases on the environment and human health.

The study was conducted in California (USA) and showed that photochemical reactions between hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides released into the air from cars cause breathing difficulties, irritation of the eyes, nose, form smog, cause acid rain, etc.

The alarming findings of this study marked the beginning of changes to the Environmental Law. For the first time, they started talking about the need to reduce emissions and install catalysts in cars.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

Emission standards for passenger cars were first introduced in California in 1965, followed three years later by federal emission reduction standards. In 1970, the Clean Air Act was passed, which imposed even more stringent restrictions - requirements to reduce the content of HC, CO and NOx.

With the enactment of the 1970 Act and the adoption of its amendments, the US government forced the automotive industry to make changes to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.

Thus, since 1977, the installation of catalysts on American cars has become mandatory.

Shortly after the United States introduced environmental standards and emission controls, European countries began to work hard to implement new environmental standards. The first to introduce the mandatory installation and use of catalytic converters are Sweden and Switzerland. They were followed by Germany and other EU members.

In 1993, the European Union introduced a ban on the production of cars without catalytic converters. In addition, environmental standards Euro 1, Euro 2, etc. have been introduced to determine the acceptable exhaust level for each make and model of car.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

European exhaust standards are called Euros and are indicated by a number. The higher the number after the word, the higher the requirements for permissible exhaust gas values ​​(in this case, the products of fuel combustion will contain less harmful substances).

How effective are the catalysts?

Given the above factors, it is clear why cars should have a catalytic converter, but are they really effective? The truth is that it is not in vain that the requirements are imposed on automobiles for the installation of catalysts. Since they were put into operation, harmful exhaust emissions have been significantly reduced.

Of course, the use of catalysts cannot completely eliminate air pollution, but this is an important step in the right direction ... Especially if we want to live in a cleaner world.

What can be done to reduce car emissions?

Use fuel with high quality anti-sludge additives. As the car ages, harmful deposits accumulate in the engine, reducing its efficiency and increasing harmful emissions. Adding anti-scale additives will not only help you extend the life of your engine, but also take care of reducing emissions.

Change the oil on time

Oil is the lifeblood of an engine. The fluid lubricates, cleans, cools and prevents wear of parts of the power unit. Timely oil changes help reduce air pollution.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

Over time, it loses its properties, due to which the oil wedge may decrease, compression in the engine may decrease, and more and more lubricant may get into the cylinders, which, when burned, adds harmful substances to the exhaust.

Change the air filter in time

When the air filter is clogged, the required amount of air does not enter the motor, which is why the fuel does not completely burn out. This increases the amount of deposits and, of course, creates more harmful emissions. If you want your car to produce as few harmful gases as possible, be sure to clean or replace the air filter on time.

Check tire pressure

At first glance, these seem to be incompatible concepts. The truth is that few people know that low tire pressure increases fuel consumption and therefore increases harmful CO2 emissions.

Do not let the machine stand idle with the engine on.

It has been shown that air quality deteriorates sharply in places where cars stand with the engines turned on (traffic jams, in front of schools, kindergartens, institutions). If you want to reduce emissions, whether you expect in the car 2 or 20 minutes, turn off the engine.

Why should cars have catalytic converters?

Install the catalytic converter

If your car is old and does not have a catalyst, consider buying a new one in which a similar device is installed. If you cannot afford the purchase, be sure to install a catalytic converter in the near future.

Avoid unnecessary rides

If you need to go to the store, which is 100 or 200 meters from you, you do not need to go there by car. Go on foot. This will save you gas, keep you fit and keep your environment clean.

Questions and answers:

What is a neutralizer on a car? This is an element of the exhaust system, which is installed in front of the resonator or instead of it - as close as possible to the engine exhaust manifold.

What is the difference between a catalytic converter and a catalyst? This is the same as a catalytic converter or catalyst, just motorists call this element of the exhaust system differently.

What is a neutralizer used for? The catalytic converter is designed to neutralize harmful nitrogen oxides contained in vehicle exhaust gases. They are converted into harmless substances.

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