Catalytic Converters: How They Work

Cars are essential for transportation all around the world. In order for a car to move, a combustion reaction must occur in a cylinder which spins a crankshaft which ultimately spins the wheels. A combustion reaction is the reaction with a hydrocarbon and oxygen, as shown below:

CXHY + O2 → H2O + CO2w

However, some contaminants can be formed from incomplete versions of this reaction, some of those being carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. These gasses are dangerous to humans and the environment around us. In order for cars to be generally safe, these gasses must be converted into safe gasses. Therefore, the catalytic converter was invented.

The essential process of a catalytic converter is to use a catalyst to split up these unsafe gasses and change them into safe gasses which are then emitted into the atmosphere. Catalytic converters are made of precious metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium) that line the honeycomb structures within. Then, through reduction and oxidation reactions, nitrogen oxide loses oxygen and that oxygen is added to carbon monoxide. The result is a mixture of safe gasses like N2, CO2, and H2O.

https://www.as-sl.com/pdf/en/tipos_gases.pdf

https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/catalytic-converter#:~:text=A%20catalytic%20converter%20uses%20a,get%20released%20into%20the%20air.