A diesel catalytic converter is a device that is used for reducing a variety of emissions emanating from a compression ignition engine. It works by using a catalyst to stimulate a chemical reaction through which poisonous gases can be converted into less harmful and environment friendly gases. In automobiles, this process involves the conversion of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon mono oxide.
Normally, a catalytic converter is installed between the engine and the muffler or silencer. The converter comprises of a ceramic honeycomb interior with either a two or three catalysts. These catalysts help in streamlining the flow of exhaust gases and enable the conversion of harmful gases into less harmful emissions.
A diesel catalytic converter works best when it is sufficiently heated up. This is precisely the reason why it is fitted as close to the engine as possible. The latest catalytic converters use precious metals like Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium. These converters clean up the various gases before they actually leave your exhaust pipe.
Catalytic converters are of two types. Namely: Two way catalytic converter and a three way catalytic converter. Both these converters work on similar principles and differ only in the kind of exhaust emissions they convert. Two way catalytic converters are more prevalent in diesel engines. These catalytic converters are used to reduce mono carbon and hydro carbon emissions.
The most commonly used catalytic converter in compression ignition engines is the diesel oxidation catalyst. This catalyst makes use of the oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust gas stream in order to convert hydrocarbons to water and carbon mono oxide into carbon dioxide. A very good feature about these diesel catalytic converters is that they eliminate diesel odor and help in reducing visible particulates like soot.
The exhaust systems of diesel engines contain high levels of particulates that catalytic converters can remove only to a certain extent. In order to get rid of the particulate matter you will need a diesel particulate filter. In the US all diesel vehicles manufactured after January 1st 2007 have to be equipped with a diesel particulate filter or DPF along with a catalytic converter.
A diesel catalytic converter comprises a wide range of components that include:
a) An Outer Box that is like an ordinary cylindrical stainless steel container and contains the catalytic matrix through which the gases pass through from the front to the exhaust pipe and through the muffler into the tailpipe. Check here more info about Pipes & Tubing.
b) Next is the ceramic honeycomb matrix, the core of which is made up of a ceramic honeycomb that enables the catalysts to operate in a large surface area instead of just passing through the muffler. Then you have a heat resistant gasket that acts as a gas seal as well as a thermal insulator.
c) Another important component is the Washcoat which comprises of a silica and alumina solution that is applied to the honeycomb matrix to expose the catalyst surface area to those gases that pass through it.
Finally, all these components play an important role in cleaning up the gases before they move out of your vehicle’s tail pipe.
The Catalytic Converters for diesel engines consist of honeycomb structure or a ceramic structure that is coated with precious metal wash coat. This is enclosed in a housing that is made up of stainless steel.
The housing is helpful in letting the exhaust gases pass out. The catalytic coating would cause oxidation in most of the hazardous gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydro Carbon and Nitrogen Oxide so as to form water or Carbon Dioxide.
The catalytic converter diesel would help in the reduction of toxic effects due to the exhaust gases. This is an essential part in a typical exhaust treatment process.
A lot of health problems are associated with these toxic gases and hence the most cost effective way of minimizing these gases and working for a better environment is through investing in the catalytic converters. These are very important in diesel cars in particular.
The catalysts should always be installed closer to the engine. These converters operate the best under high temperatures. Custom made converters or pre-made converters can also be installed. These kinds of catalytic converters are usually free of maintenance and are long lasting.
Diesel Particulate Filters in the catalytic converter diesel has the soot particles which are the most visible pollutants coming out of the diesel engine. These carbon particles are highly dangerous to the respiration system and might cause malfunctions in the lungs.
Most of the countries are currently facing the biggest environmental issue because of these air borne particulates. The soot that is collected builds within the filter. This would clog and block the engine back pressure. And that is why it is important to choose a good catalytic converter.
Combifilters in the catalytic converter diesel is designed to remove the soot and any particulates from the engine exhaust. The exhaust gases pass through the ceramic structure that traps these particulates.
The captured particulates are actively burned off so as to clean and regenerate the filter through externally mounted station for regeneration. These filters remove at least 90% of the particulates. These filters ideally suit the equipment that is operated indoors such as fork lift trucks.
Purifilter in the catalytic converter diesel is an integrated filter as well as a silencer. It removes particulates and harmful gases or pollutants by filtering and then burning them. This is also known as passive regeneration.
During the exhaustion process, the gases pass through micro-porous walls that are filtered. After which the soot particles are separated and collected. The debris is removed from time to time to prevent any additional build-up.
Diesel engine converts chemical energy into mechanical power. The engine cylinder is injected with diesel fuel wherein the diesel mixes with the air thus resulting in combustion. The gases thus discharged are very harmful and are high in toxic content.
The older equipment in catalytic converters might not serve the purpose but the new catalytic converter diesel has the ability to purify and clean these gases thus help the engine emit the not so harmful gases into the environment.
Vehicle owners who are conversant with the variety of performance and emission equipment integrated into cars know about catalytic converters and their efficacy. Popularly referred to as cat, the unit undeniably is a super worker which does a very noble job of filtering the noxious elements from the highly poisonous exhaust fumes that are emitted by a car exhaust. However, what many do not know is that the diesel catalytic converters are different from those that are used in petrol run cars. There are reasons for it, but before these are discussed, it is essential to know about the types of catalytic converters available. These can actually be of two types-
a) Two-Way Catalytic Converters – this variety of a catalytic converter helps in oxidization of harmful gases like Hydrocarbons and Carbon Monoxide
b) Three-Way Catalytic Converters – this goes one step further and oxidizes not only Hydrocarbons and Carbon Monoxide but also pulls in Nitrogen Oxides for a wash-off too.
While petrol run engines use the 3-way catalytic converters, the diesel engines use the 2-way type and these are popularly known as diesel catalytic converters. This is possibly the reason why diesel engines are always said to run “lean”, since they do not have the capacity to eliminate or cut back NOX.
The 2-way catalytic converters are fitted into vehicles which use diesel as its fuel (like BMW). These are oxidation-type converters which oxidize HC (Hydrocarbons) and CO (Carbon Monoxide) by utilizing the oxygen that is present in the diesel exhaust. This is why, such a catalytic converter is also termed as “diesel oxidation catalytic converter”.
How do diesel converters run?
A typical characteristic of diesel engines is that the exhaust gas which is released is significantly cooler than those released by spark-ignition engines. A catalytic converter, to work efficiently, needs to operate at high temperatures. In this case, it is fitted close to the engines so as to allow the unit to naturally enjoy the warmth that is required for the catalysts to work efficiently.
How does it work?
1) The diesel catalytic converters are fitted into units having compression ignition engines.
2) Its catalysts (like platinum or rhodium) use the oxygen from the stream of the exhaust gas and convert the toxic gases into less harmful by-products. For instance, it converts-
CO (Carbon Monoxide)—————–> CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
HC (Hydrocarbons) —————–> H2O (Water Vapor) + CO2
It cannot reduce NOX but works at 90% efficiency, virtually eliminating soluble organic fraction and diesel odor to last limits.
The exhaust gases released from diesel engines have high levels of soot or particulate ingredients in them, mostly elemental carbon. 2-way catalytic converters, more often than not, are not equipped to remove elemental carbon and to do this a DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter is attached to the system. It is interesting to note here that all heavy duty diesel vehicles plying on the US roads are equipped with both a diesel cat and a DPF for effective performance.
Magnaflow diesel catalytic converters are extremely popular appendages for diesel engines and adored by users for durability and high-performance.
A diesel exhaust system works differently from the spark – ignition engine. Unlike the engines which run on gas, petrol, etc, the power in a diesel engine is determined by the fuel supply and not by managing the air supply. This means that the engine requires less power to run and hence, such engines increase the horse power and torque (turning force). Since the air required is less, the emissions would also decrease, making it more environment-friendly.
Let us now discuss some important things to be kept in mind whilst buying such an exhaust system:
All the information about your vehicle like the model, make, etc should be checked. The size of the engine and the type are also deciding factors.
Check with all the manufactures that produce diesel exhausts. Magnafold has all varieties of exhausts and these are reasonably priced as well. The ones made from stainless steel are the most effective and durable ones.
There are many diesel exhausts which are made attractive with the use of different color and metal coatings. However, performance should be given more importance than appearance when it comes to buying one.
Depending on the budget and requirement, the best one that suits your type of vehicle should be identified.
Most of these exhaust systems include the muffler as a part. If not, they are can be bought separately. The different parts of the exhaust system are mufflers, muffler pipes, tail pipes, catalytic converters and muffler tips. If you wish to buy a comprehensive system, you can do that as well or can buy each one individually. However, it is advisable to compare the prices before taking a decision as the complete exhaust system will cost less than buying them one by one.
Exhaust tips in vehicles are becoming a craze now to beautify your vehicle. They are available in different colors, sizes and styles. The size should be given particular attention as it should fit the exhaust pipe from where these gases are sent out from the engine. Colorful and trendy tail pipes are the most popular ones and have been in demand in the recent times. Apart from the above, these tips also help in combating the noise and enhancing the engine condition. Here info about Muffler Exhaust Tips.
There are many types of exhaust systems for diesel engines. Whilst some increase the horsepower, some keep the temperature of the engine cool. Others are designed to give you better mileage. Make sure you have your expectations right before choosing on a type so as to give you maximum benefits.
Magnaflow is one of the best manufacturers of diesel exhaust. They strive to give the best products to their customers and therefore, use the latest technology to build world class auto parts. They use stainless steel in all their parts which guarantees longevity. Their catalogue is extensive and includes all varieties of exhausts. Their exhaust systems, increase power and speed in an engine and produce minimal sound when compared to other brands. Check here for info about Magnaflow Tips.
A diesel catalytic converter is a device that is used for reducing a variety of emissions emanating from a compression ignition engine. It works by using a catalyst to stimulate a chemical reaction through which poisonous gases can be converted into less harmful and environment friendly gases. In automobiles, this process involves the conversion of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon mono oxide.
