Basics Of A Catalytic Converter
Your car’s catalytic converter controls the emissions from the engine. Specifically, it manages the toxicity of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. All 3 are found in the exhaust of your car. The catalytic converter transforms them into compounds that are virtually harmless. In doing so, it controls the pollutants emitted from your car while it’s running. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how they work and why they’re important.
A Growing Problem
Each day, tens of millions of cars are driven in the U.S. alone. The exhaust that spews from them is often invisible, but potentially harmful. The problem is that many of these cars are driven in busy cities. Over time, the emissions can create a health issue and an environmental impact. Years ago, laws were passed in order to help control the problem. Those laws basically limit the level of pollutants that cars can legally release. In response, car manufacturers designed the catalytic converter. It converts the pollutants into compounds that aren’t nearly as dangerous.
What Pollutants Do They Control?
As mentioned, catalytic converters manage 3 main pollutants. First, hydrocarbons are the byproduct of fuel that isn’t used. When it evaporates, it becomes smog. Second, carbon monoxide is a gas that is poisonous. Third, nitrogen oxides are known to contribute to both smog and acid rain.
There are other compounds within your car’s emissions. They include carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of a combustion process that fuses the carbon within the fuel to water. On the other hand, nitrogen gas is a mostly harmless vapor. It passes through your car’s engine without even reaching the catalytic converter.
Can Catalytic Converters Fail?
In a word, yes. They can become clogged or plugged. This often happens as a result of receiving fuel from the engine that hasn’t been burned. When enough of it accumulates, it creates intense heat within the catalytic converter, causing the ceramic substrates to melt down. They can also fail when too much oil is present. The metals found in the oil can cause the converter to become clogged.
If you suspect that your car’s converter is not working properly, have a technician test it. Not only can it impact the performance of your car, but it will fail to effectively manage the toxicity of the compounds within your car’s exhaust. Eventually, your car will fail a smog check, forcing your to have the catalytic converter repaired or replaced.
