There are various types of catalytic converter. A simple ‘two-way’ oxidation cat works to turn carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons, which are basically particles of unburnt fuel, to carbon dioxide and water. More advanced ‘three-way’ catalytic converters are fitted to modern cars and these do the above while also reducing emissions of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which together are more commonly known as NOx, a major cause of localised air pollution.
catalytic converters
• What is AdBlue?
Diesel cars typically have special catalytic converters to cope with the specific emissions from compression ignition diesel engines. These Diesel Oxidation Catalyst units are routinely paired with additional exhaust treatment technologies such as exhaust gas recirculation, Diesel Particulate Filters to trap soot and Selective Catalytic Reduction which uses injections of AdBlue urea solution to remove NOx.