A new catalytic converter that could cut fuel consumption and manufacturing costs has been designed by a scientist from Imperial College London.
A catalytic converter is the component in a vehicle’s exhaust system that eliminates some harmful emissions. Tests suggest that the new prototype could reduce fuel consumption in a standard vehicle by up to three per cent. It could also deliver environmental benefits by reducing the amount of CO that each vehicle emits.
The new design uses up to 80 per cent less rare metal, a development that could significantly reduce costs for vehicle manufacturers. Catalytic converters are expensive to manufacture because they use precious metals such as platinum to eliminate emissions. These metals currently account for up to 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of the component.
The prototype is also predicted to perform better than existing models because the rare metal degrades less over the lifetime of the component. Laboratory tests suggest that it deteriorates by only four per cent over a distance of 100,000 kilometres, compared to 35 per cent for a standard catalytic converter.
The prototype device was developed by Dr Benjamin Kingsbury, Professor Kang Li and Dr Zhentao Wu who are all from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Dr Kingsbury says: “Catalytic converters are the most important component in a vehicle for controlling exhaust emissions. Yet their design has not changed since they were first developed in the 1940s. The prototype I have developed could make cars cheaper to run because they use less fuel. It could potentially help manufacturers to reduce their costs. Drivers could also be a major beneficiary of this device, which could save on fuel costs and ultimately lead to reduced CO emissions.”
The Latest on: Catalytic converter
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The Latest on: Catalytic converter
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The Chula Vista Police Department helped scores of drivers on Saturday obstruct thefts of their vehicles’ catalytic converter.
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A Newington man who police say was the ringleader of “statewide criminal activity” that included commercial burglaries and catalytic converters theft has been arrested.
- ‘Ring leader’ of catalytic converter theft activity in Southington, across the state arrestedon May 2, 2024 at 10:28 am
SOUTINGTON, CT (WFSB) - A man was arrested for committing thefts in Southington and across the state was arrested. Ethan Nieves, 21, of Newington, was arrested on Monday during a court appearance in ...
- Illinois considers new measures to prevent catalytic converter thefton May 2, 2024 at 7:32 am
In an effort to reduce some of the worst rates of catalytic converter thefts in the country, Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would place new rules on the sale of the devices. House ...
- Illinois bill would combat catalytic converter thefts, lawmaker sayson May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A new bill under consideration by the Illinois General Assembly would aim to discourage the theft and resale of catalytic converters, with the state having one of the worst rates of such thefts in the ...
- Sheriff’s Office etches catalytic converters at Park Ridge eventon May 1, 2024 at 2:01 pm
The Cook County Sherriff’s Office held a catalytic converting etching event with Maine Township on April 25 to deter the theft of catalytic converters. 120 people registered for the free ...
- Travelers' Cars Targeted for Catalytic Converter Thefts at Gerald R. Ford International Airporton May 1, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Catalytic converters were stolen from cars at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, affecting travelers like Patrick Clark.
- Catalytic converters stolen off cars parked at Ford Airporton April 28, 2024 at 7:33 pm
Catalytic converters were stolen off vehicles parked in the north lot at Gerald R. Ford International Airport two times this month.
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