What is a Catalytic converter and how does it work?
A VW Catalytic Converter is an important component of a car exhaust system whose main function is to minimize emission of toxic gases. Also called monolith catalytic converter, it is usually a metal shell filled with a ceramic structure like honeycombing, which is coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These materials initiate chemical processes that take toxic emissions including CO, NOx, and HC and change them to benign gas such as CO₂, nitrogen, and water. How It Works: Heat Activation: The mobile source’s exhaust warms the catalytic converter to the required temperature of nearly 400°C/750°F, thereby initiating the work of the catalysts. Reduction Reaction: In the first stage, Nitrogen oxides are purged. Catalyst reduces oxides of nitrogen to remove oxygen atoms, comprised nitrogen and oxygen. Oxidation Reaction: In the second stage, the remaining unburned hydrocarbons together with the carbon monoxide which burns with the liberated oxygen forming carbon di...