رIn this edition of the automobile technology segment, we bring to you the relevance, classification and functioning of catalytic converters. Before we begin to explain what catalytic converters are, let us discuss what the exhaust gas emissions from a vehicle consist of. A regular fuel (petrol or diesel) is made up of hydrocarbons. That means atoms of Hydrogen and Carbon arranged in various proportions form molecules of petrol or diesel. Essentially, after the treatment of natural resources, the end product we get is the hydrocarbon chains. Depending on the number of carbon atoms and length of the chain, it is either classified as petrol or diesel.
Why are Catalytic Converters needed?
During the combustion phase inside the cylinder of the engine, the air-fuel mixture almost never burns completely. Complete combustion is referred to as when the end products of the combustion are Carbon Dioxide and Water. But during the operation of an internal combustion engine, due to various reasons and factors, complete combustion almost never occurs. What that translates to is there are numerous undesirable and toxic gases present in the exhaust system of an engine. These gases are not only bad for environmental pollution but also cause severe health hazards if people inhale these. Being toxic and poisonous in nature, these gases are allowed in minute amounts according to the BS6 emission norms, which came into effect in 2019.
The trend around the world is the same as well. Almost every year, the emission regulations are becoming stricter than the year before, as more and more people and governments are becoming environmentally conscious. The aim is to get rid of the internal combustion engines completely and switch to electric vehicles entirely. But obviously, that aim is too far away from the realities that we live in currently. Also, it is not possible to switch to EVs in a matter of few years. It will take a long time, but in the meanwhile, we have to keep the targets challenging so that the ultimate aim is achieved sooner rather than later. This requires a ton of technology to keep emissions in check and comply with so minute allowance for harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen and unburnt fuel (hydrocarbons).