However, the use of leaded petrol initially scuppered his invention, as the lead in the petrol coated the inside of the converter and prevented exhaust fumes from coming into contact with the catalyst. His invention relied on a metal casing that had a coating of platinum on the inside to speed up (catalyse) the oxidation of the car exhaust fumes. Catalytic converters are used in vehicle exhausts systems to provide a site for the oxidation and reduction of about 98% of those toxic by-products into less hazardous substances like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen gas.Ĭatalytic converters were invented by a French engineer in the USA in the 1950s. We have therefore invented technologies like the catalytic converter to reduce the impact of these harmful gases. These gases are produced because there is enough oxygen available to oxidize the carbon fuel in these engines completely into carbon dioxide and water. Many of the gases produced by cars as the result of the combustion of petrol are toxic to humans and harmful to the environment, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
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