Car exhaust gases, why are they harmful to the environment, as a catalyst reduces the negative effects of exhaust gases

In each car there are devices and parts that do not come across the eye car owners, but at the same time they play an important role in the full functioning of the "vital" knots of the car. The neutralizer of exhaust gases, which is also known as a catalytic neutralizer or catalyst, is not rarely the cause of disputes between motorists. Some of them are confident that this item is very important for the exhaust gas purification system, while others believe that it is not necessary to apply this item and even harmful. About this further in the article.

Car exhaust gases, which is in exhaust gases

Chemical components of exhaust gases are so dangerous that they harm not only animal health and person, but also destroy trees and houses. The collective presence of oxygen, hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide leads to harmful and very aggressive organic compounds - peroxiaacetylnitrates, which form photochemical smokers, under the influence of people, the mucous membranes, eyes, the nervous and pulmonary diseases, bronchial asthma are aggravated, the symptoms of suffocation are observed.

What a threat to the environment and person represent exhaust gases

DVS daily have a negative impact on the health of millions of people. People are forced to suffer from the frequent diseases of the circulatory and heart system, chronic and sharp bronchitis, asthma attacks, cough and so on. Road workers, car service workers, professional drivers and others are subject to the highest risk. According to scientists, a new type of substances that have discovered in exhaust gases working on a diesel engine can cause mutations in the human body and is the main factor that causes lung cancer. Photochemical was able to cause corrosion of metals, destroy paints, synthetic and rubber products, spoil clothes, and people who have been exposed to harmful substances in the city air for a long time due to heart attacks.

Car Exhaust System

When the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder of the power unit burns, exhaust gases occur, which should be output, so that the cylinder is again filled with the required amount of the mixture. For this, an exhaust system was invented, which consists of three key components, such as an exhaust manifold, a catalytic converter (neutralizer) and a silencer.

Scheme of the exhaust system. The resonator in this case is an additional silencer

Exhaust gas catalyst, work principle

The catalyst is an integral part of the exhaust system of the TC, with its help the concentration of harmful substances decreases, which are contained in exhaust gases (worked). Modern catalysts contain noble metals heating from exhaust gases and provoking harmful substances to a normal level provided for by environmental requirements.

The design of the catalyst includes a housing in which metal or ceramic cells are located. From above, they are covered with a thin layer of platinumiridium alloy. This design makes it possible to significantly increase the area of \u200b\u200bcontact with a catalytic layer of surface and gas exhaust. As a result, the oxidative reaction of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide occurs, and only actually "harmless" substances - carbon dioxide and nitrogen fall into the atmosphere.

Does the catalyst need a car

It is not necessary to install a catalyst for the machine, but it is desirable, especially if:

  1. You do not want to pollute the environment.
  2. You are going by car abroad (required).
  3. You yourself pass the inspection.
  4. Your car is less than five years old.

Double-sided catalysts where pluses and cons

The device of the bilateral neutralizer of exhaust gases makes it possible to perform several tasks at the same time:

  • Run the carbonated gas oxidation procedure to carbon dioxide.
  • Oxidizing unburned hydrocarbons (unlawful or partially burned fuel) into carbon dioxide and water due to the combustion reaction.

Similar catalysts are often used for diesel engines.

Tripartite catalysts, where applied, pros and cons

The first three-sided neutralizers appeared in 1981. They were created to reduce the volume of harmful substances that fall into the atmosphere. This type of catalyst makes it possible to perform a wider range of tasks, in particular:

  • Transformation of nitrogen oxide in nitrogen and oxygen.
  • The oxidation of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
  • The oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.

Ceramic neutralizers, application, pros and cons

Standard models equipped with a design in the form of so-called cells. The ceramic element is covered with a platinumiridium alloy. As for the shortcomings of these models, then actually all car owners note the fragility of the ceramic product, which is enough to hit the stone to scatter cells. Also, the device may be damaged if you drive into the puddle on a heated car - the water drops that have fallen on the hot catalyst will lead to its failure.

In addition, the cells are able to disintegrate in the ignition system. For example, if fuel is flammable not immediately after starting the power unit, but with a short delay. In this case, the unburned fuel will be collected in the neutralizer, and as soon as the accumulated fuel explodes, all honeycombs will be destroyed. Also in these neutralizers, ceramic dust accumulates in the combustion chamber and even in the motor cylinders. The only advantage of the ceramic catalyst is its small cost.

Metal neutralizers, pros and cons

The design of this type is characterized by increased strength and reliability, due to which this neutralizer is able to withstand mechanical loads for sufficiently long time. The cells that are installed in the device are distinguished by their elasticity, which they managed to achieve with the help of their spiral shape and metal.

But, despite the reliability of such a catalyst, it is as well as ceramic products, it is afraid:

  • Long functioning at idle.
  • Realified fuel mixtures.
  • Eilated either low-quality fuel.
  • Low-quality techniques for washing systems that are bought from hand or from a unverified manufacturer.
  • Antifreeze or oils entering the combustion chamber.

Sports of catalysts, pros and cons

Such neutralizers are also made of metal, but their bandwidth is much higher than ordinary ceramic and metal products. Due to this, the catalysts of this type give the vehicle additional power (by 7-20 percent). True, this result is achieved only under the condition that a direct-flow exhaust system is installed in the car. The neutralizers at the same time meet the environmental requirements of Euro 5 and euros 4. Sports models are most reliable, but their cost is highest.

How long is the catalyst

It is recommended to replace the catalysts every 100-120 thousand mileage kilometers. But it may be needed and an earlier replacement.

Signs of failure of the catalyst

Typically, the neutralizer is considered broken if during operation it burned its catalytic layer. In modern cars, an error lights up when the catalyst breaks. But if the vehicle is not new, it is possible to determine the approaching breakdown by such symptoms:

  • The car is worse than hot. At the same time, in the morning the engine does not start for a long time.
  • The thrust on high speed constantly or temporarily disappears.
  • Rapid turns. For example, at a pressure of gas, the tachometer is barely reaching up to 2-4 thousand revolutions, but the arrow above does not. The vehicle has become more fuel.

These symptoms suggest that the neutralizer is on a twilight form, i.e. it still works, however it is time to change. And if the catalyst has failed at all, you will notice that the car began to start too long, but even if the power unit starts to function, it almost immediately stalls. Or the car does not start at all. To make sure that the reason lies in the catalyst, boot the motor and go to the exhaust pipe. If you do not feel your hand, how the exhaust gases go, it's time to replace the catalyst.

Possible catalyst replacement options

  1. On universal. In this case, you pay much less and get a device that allows you to significantly reduce the volume of toxic exhaust.
  2. On the original. The most expensive option. Such a replacement will be logical if you use a car, the warranty period from which has not yet come out.
  3. On the planenetsman. The cheapest replacement option, but such a device cannot be mounted in cars with euro 4 standards, since the plane sensor does not reduce the level of gas toxicity.

Tips Prof.

Install the neutralizer or not - this is the case of every motorist. While in our country does not provide strict requirements for the number of harmful substances in the exhaust. But if you decide to go on your car on a trip to Europe, you will have a mandatory to install a catalyst.

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