Catalysis gains from auto emission work

Journal Article · Mon May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Chem. Eng. News; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v067n020.p023· OSTI ID:5856393

Haggin, J

The effects of auto exhaust catalysts are often overlooked amid various environmental concerns. However, since their introduction in 1975, catalytic converters have contributed remarkably to decreasing the pollution caused by auto emissions. They also have contributed a great deal to the knowledge of noble-metal catalysis. Catalytic converters can eliminate 96% of the exhaust hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and 76% of the nitrogen oxides emissions in exhausts. Even considering the increased numbers of vehicles each year and the rather slow replacement of older vehicles, carbon mono-oxide emissions have decreased from 48% to 35%, hydrocarbon emissions from 31% to 16%, and nitrogen oxides from 22% to 14%. Even if emission controls were not improved, the downward trend would persist for at least another decade because the standards governing allowable emissions have become stricter and because replacement will take older, less efficient vehicles out of the overall operational population.

• OSTI ID: 5856393
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 67:20; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330700* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Emission Control
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AUTOMOBILES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSIS
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VEHICLES
WASTES