Question

(a) If you were going to build a system to check the effectiveness of automobile catalytic converters on cars, what substances would you want to look for in the car exhaust? (b) Automobile catalytic converters have to work at high temperatures, as hot exhaust gases stream through them. In what ways could this be an advantage? In what ways a disadvantage? (c) Why is the rate of flow of exhaust gases over a catalytic converter important?

Short answer

(a) To check the effectiveness of automobile catalytic converters, look for carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC) in the car exhaust. (b) Advantages of high temperatures include providing an ideal environment for chemical reactions and rapid heating for cold starts. Disadvantages include thermal stress on catalyst materials and potential overheating of surrounding components. (c) The flow rate of exhaust gases is important for ensuring effectiveness, durability, and fuel economy in catalytic converters.

Step-by-step solution

(a) Substances to look for in the car exhaust

To evaluate the effectiveness of automobile catalytic converters, one should look for the following substances in the car exhaust: 1. Carbon monoxide (CO) 2. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 3. Hydrocarbons (HC) These substances are the primary pollutants found in car exhaust, and the role of a catalytic converter is to convert these pollutants into less harmful gases. An efficient catalytic converter should produce lower levels of CO, NOx, and HC after the conversion process.

(b) Advantages and disadvantages of high temperature

Catalytic converters work at high temperatures due to the hot exhaust gases that flow through them. This could have the following advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: 1. A high temperature provides an ideal environment for the chemical reactions between the catalyst material (usually platinum, palladium, and rhodium) and the pollutants, thus making the conversion process more efficient. 2. Rapid heating allows the catalytic converter to work effectively during the cold start of the vehicle, when the exhaust emissions are typically the highest. Disadvantages: 1. High temperatures can cause thermal stress on the catalyst material, which may result in material degradation and reduced efficiency over time. 2. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can potentially lead to the overheating of vehicle components surrounding the catalytic converter, increasing the risk of failure or even vehicle fires.

(c) Importance of the flow rate of exhaust gases

The rate of flow of exhaust gases over a catalytic converter is important for the following reasons: 1. Effectiveness: The flow rate affects the contact time between the exhaust gases and the catalyst material. If the flow rate is too high, the gases may not stay in contact with the catalyst for a sufficiently long time to allow complete conversion of the pollutants. If the flow rate is too low, the converter may not reach the optimal temperature for the conversion process, resulting in lower efficiency. 2. Durability: A consistent and well-controlled flow rate ensures that the catalytic converter maintains a steady temperature, minimizing the risk of overheating and prolonging the life of the catalyst material. 3. Fuel economy: Optimizing the flow rate of exhaust gases helps maintain appropriate backpressure in the exhaust system, which in turn ensures the efficient use of fuel and reduces harmful emissions.