Catalytic Converter

Catalytic Converter
A better model and cleaner air
Tristan Lopez
The Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science
Research Plan
9/27/16

Catalytic Converters

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Catalytic converters have been around for a while improved, modified, and changed. So
far the catalytic converter can filter most greenhouse gases. What if a filter is added so no
greenhouse gases are emitted? Carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels is one of the
greenhouse gases indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be a
most likely cause of global warming. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
stated automobile emissions are a significant and growing cause of global warming, because of
their release of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas over three hundred times more potent than
carbon dioxide. The EPA states that motor vehicles contribute approximately 8.2% of
anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions in 2008, from a high of 17.77% in 1998. Nitrous oxide
makes up 7.2% of greenhouse gases. (catalytic converters, negative aspects, 2015) Most likely
global warming is partly or a great part of global warming. If this project succeeds then all
automobiles will change their catalytic converter for these added filters to stop global warming
by an unimaginable amount.
The design of the catalytic converter is vital. If the wrong metals are used then it could
melt, if the incorrect filters are inserted dangerous gases are released into the air of this earth.
Every part of the catalytic converter is designed specifically for the one job that it is being
tasked. Their design allows them to clean the exhaust discharged from the vehicle. As the engine
burns fuel, it emits hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen into the environment. As that
exhaust passes through from the engine,
through the catalytic converter, and eventually into the air we breathe, the catalytic converter
silently does its job. Earlier models of catalytic converters used a layer of small ceramic beads
packed tight and held in place on either end of the converter by a steel mesh. The converter did

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its job as the exhaust passed through the layer of pellets. A problem with the earlier model bead
converters was the gradual shifting of the beads. Over time the beads would wear down. In the
process, the metals would come off thereby reducing or altogether eliminating the productivity of
the unit. The older style bead-filled catalytic converters have now largely been phased out. Today
the most common type of catalytic converter contains what is known as monolithic substrate.
When looking into converter the view through the substrate is akin to looking through
honeycomb. The substrate is ceramic and has a coating of three precious metals. Platinum,
palladium, and rhodium are each found in the converters to varying degrees depending on
vehicle make and model. Filling the cat with the honeycomb substrate exposes a maximum
surface area to the exhaust gasses.(Clinton Alexander, June 21, 2015)
As early as the 1940s and 50s, air quality in many of the major cities in the world had
deteriorated to such an extent that a solution needed to be found. A major contributor to this
pollution was photochemical smog and low-level ozone caused by the pollutants emitted from
motor vehicles. To combat this problem, in the mid-1970s, initially in California, vehicles were
fitted with catalytic converters to remove the pollutants and so improve the air quality, despite
some early resistance from the automotive industry. Slowly the uptake of the catalytic converter
has spread around the world. More recently the increase in popularity of diesel vehicles, and
introduction of legislation to cover a wider range of vehicle types, has led to new problems and
further challenges are expected as we look to the future. (M Frenkel, 1975) As early as the
1940s and 50s, air quality in many of the major cities in the world had deteriorated to such an
extent that a solution needed to be found. A major contributor to this pollution was
photochemical smog and low-level ozone caused by the pollutants emitted from motor

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vehicles. To combat this problem, in the mid-1970s, initially in California, vehicles were fitted
with (M
catalytic converters to remove the pollutants and so improve the air quality, despite some early
resistance from the automotive industry. Slowly the uptake of the catalytic converter has spread
around the world. More recently the increase in popularity of diesel vehicles, and introduction of
legislation to cover a wider range of vehicle types, has led to new problems and further
challenges are expected as we look to the future. If a better catalytic converter is made smog will
be a smaller problem. This shows the importance of the project. catalytic converter is a device
used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic
substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which
noxious by-products of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint of catalyzed
chemical reactions. The specific reactions vary with the type of catalyst installed. Most presentday vehicles that run on gasoline are fitted with a "three way" converter, so named because it
converts the three main pollutants in automobile exhaust: an oxidizing reaction converts carbon
monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and a reduction reaction converts oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water (H2O).The first,
widespread introduction of catalytic converters was in the U.S., where 1975 model year
automobiles were so equipped to comply with tightening U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) regulations on automobile exhaust emissions. The catalytic converters fitted were twoway models, combining CO and unburned HC to produce CO2 and H2O. Two-way catalytic
converters of this type are now considered obsolete except on lean burn engines. Since most
vehicles at the time used carburetors that provided a relatively rich air-fuel ratio, oxygen (O2)
levels in the exhaust stream were, in general, insufficient for the catalytic reaction to occur.

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Therefore, most engines like this were also equipped with secondary, air injection systems to
induct air into the exhaust stream to allow the catalyst to function. Catalytic converters are still
most commonly used on automobile exhaust systems, but are also used on generator sets,
forklifts, mining equipment, trucks, buses, locomotives, airplanes, and other, engine-fitted
devices. This is usually in response to government regulation, either through direct
environmental regulation or through health and safety regulations. Many transportation devices
people use every day use a catalytic converter in them. Imagine if the locomotives that many
people use, the forklift that people use for their job and the transportation people take to one
country to another get a catalytic converter that only releases water vapor into the environment.
The environment will be cleaner. The coral reefs dying will no longer die, and everyone will
have cleaner air. (CDTI Catalyst products 2015)
The model that will be better than the older Catalytic converter is new filters will be added and
more greenhouse gases will be filtered.

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Figure 1

Figure 1
Catalytic Substrate
This is used in the catalytic converter
that breaks the chemical bond between
nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide, and
hydrocarbons.

Figure 2
Catalytic converter
This is a sample of a general
look of a catalytic converter

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DESIGN GOAL
Design Goal: A filter that can be attached inside the exhaust pipe without losing too much
airflow speed and filter greenhouse gases. The filters objectives are Hydrocarbons, Carbon
monoxide, and Nitrous oxide. It would be very good if it is a universal use in different vehicles.

Figure 3
A model of the emission system of a automobile

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Materials and Methods

Catalytic Converter
Filters of nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide
a car/ different types engine
Drill, Hammer, screwdriver
A trailer or something to move the car (a very very old car will work just i need a working

emission and engine system) or just an emission system and engine

Different material that work with the greenhouse gases

First, Test all gases that are released from the engine and there presence. ( Hydrocarbons,
Carbon Monoxide, and Nitrous Oxide) . Then, Test different objects( like different material that
would make the detector detect less than it has been detecting. Then if material is succesful apply
into a filter that is heat resistant, also add to exhaust pipe or catalytic converter. If unsuccessful
try different materials.

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Schematics

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References
Catalytic converters, negative aspects, 2015
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.catalyticconverters.com/negative-aspects/
Clinton, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.decodedbusiness.com/history-evolution-catalyticconverters/800
M Frenkel, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., London, 1910, 28, 692 (DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5000281304 G
Cohn, Environ. Health Perspect., 1975, 10, 159 (DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7510159
M V Twigg, Philos. Trans. R. Soc., A, 2005, 363, 1013 (DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2005.1547
http://www.rsc.org/education/eic/issues/2011June/TheEvolutionOfCatalyticConverters.as
p
M Frenkel, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., London, 1910 Cohn, Environ. Health Perspect., 1975
M V Twigg, Philos. Trans. R. Soc

(n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.cdti.com/content/americas/products/gasoline_engines.htm
2015

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