Crazy About Catalytic Converters

by Tyler Cordova, Troy High School, Fullerton CA

Introduction

Cars surround us on a day-to-day basis. Made for transportation, these machines tend to work with chemicals that can be harmful to our health and the planet. These chemicals include carbon monoxide, harmful hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. So how do we survive with these dangerous machines? [1]

What Is a Catalytic Converter and How do They Function?

The cars of today have parts known as catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are machines that reduce the dangerous emissions that cars normally produce. Without the use of catalytic converters, there would be an increased access to these harmful chemicals. They have a metallic casing that contains a ceramic honeycomb made from platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which acts as catalysts for the reactions about to occur. The chemical reactions inside the machine make the toxic chemicals less damaging. [1]

Why Are They important?

If these reactions did not occur, the atmosphere would become less hospitable to humans. Countless environmental issues would happen without catalytic converters. Examples could include increased smog and carbon monoxide, both of which can have harmful effects on the lungs. Sulfur dioxide could be produced as well to make acid rain which can harm animals, corrode buildings, and pollute the lakes and rivers. Before the requirement of the catalytic converter on every car, cities such as Los Angeles had dense smog and air pollution which covered the entire skyline. However, once it was mandatory that every automobile had to have a catalytic converter, by the early 21st century, the smog has drastically improved with clear skies as a result. [2]

CNN

Problems and Moving Forward

Catalytic converters still present a problem since cars intake carbon monoxide and release carbon dioxide which causes an increase in carbon emissions [2]. The increase in carbon emissions contributes to many problems, such as ocean acidification, destruction of the atmosphere, and the increase of the global temperature [3]. For the future, scientists need to find another greener catalytic converter. Luckily, in the state of California, by 2035, gas-powered cars will no longer be sold, which will help the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

Sources: [1] Ishan Talwar. “Catalytic Converters.” YouTube, 21 May 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASiiGRdk3cE. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.

[2] Schmit, Theo. “SEQUOYAH STEM INSTITUTE.” SEQUOYAH STEM INSTITUTE, 7 Feb. 2019, sequoyahsteminstitute.org/blog/2019/2/1/the-catalytic-converter-its-pros-and-cons-in-the-modern-world. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.

[3] “California Plans to Ban Sales of New Gas-Powered Cars in 15 Years.” The New York Times, 23 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/climate/california-ban-gas-cars.html. Accessed 2 Nov. 2020.