Catalysts

Car catalytic converter is responsible for cleaning the exhaust gases of harmful compounds produced by the combustion of the fuel-air mixture. It usually occurs just after the turbocharger in the case of turbocharged cars and directly after the exhaust manifold in the case of naturally aspirated cars. The location of the catalytic converter is not a coincidence, because the higher the temperature of the exhaust gas, the greater the effectiveness of the catalytic converter.

Catalytic converters - additional information

There are two types of car catalytic converters, one based on a ceramic core, the other on a metal core. Both cores contain noble elements that react with the hot exhaust gases, thus neutralizing harmful substances.

The ceramic core is characterized by high performance but is less resistant to the high exhaust gas temperatures that accompany, for example, the installation of a gas system. It is also more exposed to any malfunctions of the engine, poor condition of injectors, spark plugs or other elements involved in combustion and supply of fuel-air mixture negatively reflects on the condition of catalyst. The core exposed to uncontrolled explosions can damage, crack or melt, thus narrowing the flow of exhaust gases and sometimes even leading to a complete blockage of the exhaust flow, which can threaten with serious engine failure.

The second type of core is a metal core, which works on the same principle as the ceramic core, but withstands higher temperatures and is more resistant to its fluctuations. It is on the metal core that the variety of sport catalytic converters with increased exhaust gas flow is based.

Catalytic converter has different types of permeability ( number of cells per square inch where the fewer the more sporty and higher the throughput ). Serial catalytic converters usually have an order of magnitude of 500-600 cpsi and sport catalytic converters 100-200 cpsi. Catalytic converters are adjusted to meet the relevant emission standards. Below is a table with the applicable standards.

There is also a division into catalytic converters designed for cars equipped with gasoline or diesel engines. Both catalytic converters differ in chemical composition. In newer cars, in addition to the catalytic converter, DPF particulate filters are also installed in the case of cars with diesel engines and GPF/OPF in the case of cars with gasoline engines, as well as adblue systems.