Millions of cars travel through our roads, highways and streets and each one of them is a source of hazardous gases and fumes that contribute to the worsening air pollution. The exhaust gases that these cars produce are very harmful to the environment, causing a variety of ecological problems such as ozone depletion and global warming. To counter these problems, laws have been enacted to keep the air clean. Carmakers have also introduced innovations in their vehicle's engine systems to control the harmful emission of gases.
The catalytic converter is one of the devices introduced by car manufacturers to help curb the discharge of dangerous exhaust gases into the atmosphere. Its basic function is to treat the exhaust gases produced during the combustion process before it leaves the car. Exhaust gases include harmful volatile organic compounds or hydrocarbons, chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. What the catalytic converter does is transform these chemicals into less harmful varieties. This is achieved through a catalyst, usually rhodium or platinum that lines the inside of the converter.
For all vehicles including Honda automobiles, there are two basic types of catalysts, reduction and oxidation. Reduction catalysts break down nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and oxygen, its basic components. Meanwhile, oxidation catalysts convert the lethal carbon monoxide gas into less harmful carbon dioxide. A functioning catalytic converter ensures that the gases that are expelled from the car's
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