CATALYTIC CONVERTORS

• WHAT ARE CATALYTIC CONVERTORS?

  honeycomb structure made of ceramic material coated with platinum and rhodium metals
• WHAT DOES THE HONEYCOMB STRUCTURE MEAN?

  very large SA, meaning less expensive metal required
• EQUATIONS FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN CATALYTIC CONVERTOR?

  carbon monoxides + nitrogen oxides -> carbon dioxide + nitrogen

  OR

  hydrocarbons + nitrogen oxides -> carbon dioxide + nitrogen + water
• HOW DO REACTIONS OCCUR ON THE CATALYSTS?

  • gases form weak bonds with metal atoms of catalyst (adsorption)
  • hold gases in right position to react
  • products break away from metal atoms (desorption)