New Approach for Ambient Pollution Reduction - PremAir™ Catalyst Systems

Classical approaches to pollution control have been to develop benign non-polluting processes or to abate emissions at the tailpipe or stack before emitting to the atmosphere. A new technology called PremAir^™ Catalyst Systems takes a different approach and reduces the existing ground level ozone. For the automotive application, the new systems involve placing a catalytic coating on a car's radiator and air conditioner condenser. As air which contains ozone passes over the radiator and condenser, the catalyst converts the ozone into oxygen. Tests conducted on a 1991 full size passenger vehicle showed that the PremAir^™ Catalyst System could convert up to 90% of the ozone passing over the radiator during a driving cycle lasting 5840 kilometers (3650 miles). The effect of ozone concentration and flow rate were determined as well as the ozone destruction rate over the coated radiator. During the 5840 kilometers of driving, the catalyst exhibited steady ozone conversion. Some of the benefits of this technology are discussed.