The catalytic convertor is a key component of every gas powered vehicle’s exhaust system. Located between the engine manifold and the muffler, the catalytic converter is responsible for cleaning harmful pollutants from vehicle emissions. Without the catalytic converter, toxic byproducts of combustion such as carbon monoxide (CO) would spew directly into the environment unchecked. A catalytic converter can remove up to 98% of pollutants from exhaust fumes (Brownell). There are approximately 18 million passenger cars in Canada, accounting for 51% of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions (“Air pollution from cars, trucks, vans and SUVs”).
How does it work?
The major pollutants emitted by vehicles include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide may not directly contribute to climate change, but it has the ability to “react with other air pollutants” (“Carbon monoxide”). These reactions can produce harmful ozone. The major problem with CO emissions is its extreme negative effects on human/animal health and other living organisms. Carbon monoxide prevents the body from delivering oxygen to its organs. If someone is exposed to carbon monoxide long term, it can cause fatigue, dizziness, confusion and headaches (“Carbon Monoxide & Health”).
In order to convert carbon monoxide into less harmful gases, one of the chemical reaction that occurs within the catalytic converter is 2CO + O2 → 2CO2 (Rose and Boodram). This is a synthesis reaction where oxygen is added to carbon monoxide, to create carbon dioxide.
After the conversion process, CO2 is the end product released into the environment. Carbon dioxide is the better outcome than carbon monoxide being released into the atmosphere, but is carbon dioxide completely harmless? Carbon dioxide is the main component of greenhouse gas emissions, more than methane and nitrous oxide combined (“Overview of Greenhouse Gases”). Greenhouse gases are a major contributor to global warming. So although catalytic converters have reduced toxic emissions from gas powered vehicles the CO2 end product has a negative effect on the environment.