Automotive catalysts
- Engelhard Corp., Edison, NJ (United States)
This article provides a look at the evolution of automotive catalyst technology. Automotive exhaust catalysts have evolved dramatically since 1975, when they were introduced in response to the Clean Air Act of 1970. Subsequent state and federal laws have set ever more stringent auto emissions standards that attempt to offset the incomplete combustion of gasoline in auto engines, which forms 1--2 vol% of carbon monoxide (CO) and 500--1,000 vppm of unburned hydrocarbons (HC). In addition, high engine temperatures thermally fix atmospheric nitrogen to nitrogen oxides (NO{sub x}), which have an exhaust concentration of 100 to 3,000 vppm. Atmospheric conditions can lead to photochemical reactions between HC and NO{sub x} to generate smog. The amount of each pollutant depends on many operating conditions, especially air/fuel ratio.
- OSTI ID:
- 215468
- Journal Information:
- Automotive Engineering, Journal Name: Automotive Engineering Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 104; ISSN 0098-2571; ISSN AUEGBB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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