Evaluation of Pd/Rh Catalytic Converter on Passenger Cars

The investigations relating to the evaluation of an automobile catalytic converter are reported in this paper. These investigations are aimed at arriving at a data that would pave the way for the optimization of a catalytic converter by experimental and computer simulation at steady and transient operating conditions

The converter used in the present study contains Pd, Rh binary catalyst (10:1) impregnated on ultra thin ceramic substrate. Characterization of catalytic converter was done for its compositions using Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma (ICAP) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The necessary instrumentation developed, which include pre and post converter emissions, backpressure and exhaust gas temperature are described for both steady and transient conditions. The experimental setup has been designed for assessing the performance of a catalytic converter on a passenger car at different operating conditions. The A/F ratio of the engine was mapped at different vehicle speeds on a carbureted engine. Performance of the Pd/Rh converter was analysed under steady speeds and Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) for simulating steady and transient conditions. Thermal behaviour of ultra thin ceramic substrate is discussed after conducting experiments over a wide range of operating conditions. From the above tests it was observed that the performance of the catalytic converter was found to be quite satisfactory.