By Taivan Acer
Cars emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons. A catalytic converter converts these toxic gases into carbon dioxide and water vapor through some chemical reactions.
A honeycomb-like structure embedded with a catalyst is in the catalytic converter. This catalyst converts toxic substances into less harmful by altering the chemical structure.
A catalyst is made of precious metals like rhodium, palladium, and platinum. Platinum is used as both reduction and oxidation catalysts. It is costly and cannot be used in many applications. Palladium acts as an oxidation catalyst. Rhodium acts as a reduction catalyst. In sporadic cases, cerium, iron, nickel, and manganese are also used.
Understanding the type of converter is important to choose the right additive to clean catalytic converter.
Types of Catalytic converter
There are different types of catalytic converters.
Two-way oxidation catalytic converter handles two tasks simultaneously. Carbon monoxide is oxidized into carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. Diesel engines utilize these types of converters to reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. This cat fails to control the emissions of oxides of nitrogen.
Three-way oxidation and reduction catalytic converters are made mandatory for new strict vehicle emission regulations. This converter is one of the most important inventions made in the automobile industry. It can perform three tasks simultaneously: Breaking off nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and oxygen, leftover hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water, and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
Diesel oxidation catalyst converter is used in compression diesel engines. Additional exhaust treatment technologies like exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalytic reduction, and diesel particulate filters are associated with this catalyst. These converters show 90% efficiency in removing particulate matter.
Why Clogging Occurs?
If fuel is more than the required proportion, it leaves the unburnt fuel in the cylinder in the air-fuel mixture can result in clogging of the catalytic converter.
The fuel proportion increases in the mixture because of the problem in the spark plugs. So initially focusing on the spark plug can fix the primary concern.
If the clogging is at a minimal level cleaning the catalytic converter can fix the problem. If the dirt and clogging have piled up for years, using two to three bottles can clear the issue. If there is a lot of problem with the catalytic converter, it must be replaced. Cleaning the catalytic converter is a better solution than replacing it.
Three best additives to clean the catalytic converter
#1 Cataclean engine and catalytic converter cleaner
Cataclean is one of the best products you can use to clean the catalytic cleaner. It is pricy. But if there is a need to take an emissions test, Cataclean is the perfect option to clean a catalytic converter and fuel system.
#2 CRC “Guaranteed to pass” emissions system formula
This solution can clean carbon settlements in converter, engine, and fuel injectors. It can help you pass the emissions test. It is recommended to use after every 3000miles.
#3 Solder-It-CAT-1
This solution is not only to clean the clogging from the converters. It also deodorises. It removes the rotten egg smell from toxic gases. Add this to the fuel tank when fuel is a quarter of the full tank and travel for 50miles before filling it again. It removes the rotten egg odour.
Cleaning catalytic converter decreases the emissions, increases engine performance, saves money, and reduces bad smells.
