N2O Emissions from Vehicles Equipped with Three-Way Catalysts in a Cold Climate

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a strong green house effect gas and three-way catalyst is one of the major sources. N₂O is mostly emitted at temperatures during the process of light off in the catalyst and the frequency of this temperature range over total temperature range distribution affects strongly on N₂O emission.

The effect of cold ambient on N₂O emission was analyzed based on N₂O-catalyst temperature characteristics and catalyst temperature data gained by road driving test at north part of Japan in winter. As results, N₂O emission may drastically increase in colder cities and winter city traffic conditions.