Diesel engines usually function with a large amount of excess air, so that the exhaust gases contain high levels of oxygen. converters unlimited for diesel engines oxidises
- carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and
- hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O).
Three-way converters unlimited
The three-way converters unlimited is designed for SI engines. At operating temperature it converts:
- unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) into CO2 and water vapour (H2O)
- carbon monoxide (CO) into carbon dioxide (CO2)
- nitric/nitrogen oxide (NO/NO2) into nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
These processes take place simultaneously in the CAT, which is the reason why it is called the three-way converters unlimited .
A three-way converters unlimited depends on a specific exhaust gas composition to achieve its full effectiveness. The process must release exactly the right amount of oxygen as required to oxidise the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. This is the case when one part of fuel is mixed with 14.7 parts of air and then burnt in the engine. Here we speak of a stoichiometric mixture (lambda = 1). To produce this mixture, the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gases is measured by the Oxygen sensor positioned between the engine and the converters unlimited. The result is processed by the engine management system, which outputs control pulses ensuring an optimum air-fuel ratio.
Safety
For converters unlimited manufactured with a ceramic monolith, mats are used to fix the substrate in place. They protect the converters unlimited from impacts and seal off secondary exhaust flows. In the past fine ceramic fibres were used here but they were widely suspected as being carcinogenic. A “green mat” was then introduced for greater environmental compatibility. Green mats are either made from bio-soluble fibres (which dissolve quickly in body fluids to prevent any harm to the organism) or are not respirable due to their size.
Depreciation
converters unlimited are subject to natural ageing. This is partly caused by the high temperatures (sometimes over 800 °C) and mechanical stresses (vibrations) that occur during normal vehicle operation. This can cause the coating of precious metals on the substrate to degrade over time. Today’s converters unlimited are assumed to have an average lifespan of 80,000 to 100,000 km.
Apart from bottoming the CAT when driving over raised obstacles, the following factors may also cause premature ageing of the converters unlimited:
converters unlimited
If the engine burns too much oil, the additives it contains may be deposited on the surface of the catalytic converter, thus sealing it. This stops the exhaust gases coming into contact with the precious metals, meaning the converters unlimited no longer functions properly.
Catalyst contamination can also occur if you frequently make short journeys. In this case however, the CAT can often be regenerated by going on a long trip down the motorway.
At one time filling up with leaded petrol was a common risk of contamination, but nowadays this can come about only if you happen to be abroad. Take special care when abroad to ensure you fill up only with unleaded fuel (unleaded, sans plomb).
MELTING OF THE CATALYTIC SUBSTRATE
Faults in the ignition or fuel management system can lead to unburnt air-fuel mixture finding its way to the converters unlimited and burning up on the surface of the CAT. This can cause temperatures in the CAT to exceed 1000 °C, so destroying the substrate. You should therefore go to a garage at once if you notice any faults in the ignition or fuel management system.
Environmental protection
Modern exhaust aftertreatment systems significantly contribute to a marked improvement in the protection of human health. The process of internal combustion in the engine produces not only the main constituents of water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), but also the harmful substances:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Hydrocarbon (HC)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOX)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- In particular, soot particles (PM) in the case of diesel engines.
As national and international emissions and pollution regulations are tightened further, they require not only additional optimisation of engine design but also the use of complex exhaust aftertreatment systems which are essential in order to achieve the set limit values. A technically optimised converter, which puts the vehicle into a higher emissions category and so offer the vehicle owner a tax benefit, will increase the resale value of your car.