The catalytic converter is one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. Not only has it helped to make our cars cleaner and more efficient, but it’s also made them much safer. In this blog post, we’ll explore how the catalytic converter works and why it’s so important.
The catalytic converter was invented in the 1950s by a chemist named Gottfried Keller. At the time, Keller was working for an oil company that was searching for ways to reduce air pollution. Keller discovered that when certain chemicals were exposed to exhaust fumes, they would break down the pollutants into harmless gases. He eventually patented his invention, and the first catalytic converter was installed on a car in 1975.
Since then, the catalytic converter has become standard equipment on all cars and trucks. It is estimated that there are now over 1 billion catalytic converters in use around the world.
How Does a Catalytic Converter Work?
A catalytic converter contains a small amount of platinum or palladium, which are two precious metals that act as catalyst agents. When exhaust fumes come into contact with the platinum or palladium, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down the harmful pollutants into harmless gases. These gases are then expelled out of the tailpipe along with the rest of the exhaust fumes.
The Benefits of the Catalytic Converter
The biggest benefit of the catalytic converter is that it helps to reduce air pollution. According to estimates, cars and trucks equipped with catalytic converters emit 80% less pollution than they did before these devices were invented.
Another benefit of the catalytic converter is that it makes cars more fuel-efficient. This is because it helps to convert some of the harmful gases in exhaust fumes into useful gases that can be used by the engine. As a result, less fuel is needed to power the engine, which saves you money at the pump!
The catalytic converter is one of the most important inventions of modern times. It helps to reduce air pollution and makes our cars more fuel-efficient. If you’re ever curious about how your car works, be sure to ask your mechanic about your catalytic converter next time you’re getting an oil change!