The three-way catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in the automotive exhaust system. It can convert harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx discharged from the automotive exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction.

Due to the fact that this catalytic converter can simultaneously convert the three main harmful substances in the exhaust gas into harmless substances, it is called ternary. In other words, there is a problem with the three-way catalytic converter, which directly affects exhaust emissions.

Why is the three-way catalytic converter damaged?

A three-way catalytic converter is not a consumable. In the process of converting exhaust gas, it only acts as a catalyst and theoretically does not participate in chemical reactions. It can be used indefinitely, so how could it break down?

1. Carbon deactivation

Some carbon deposits generated during engine combustion will enter the three-way catalytic converter with the exhaust pipe, resulting in blockage of the three-way catalytic converter.

2. Blockage failure

The use of ethanol gasoline resin for carbon deposition and sintering blockage, sulfur phosphorus chemical complex sintering blockage, lead manganese metal deposit sintering blockage, and ceramic carrier burning blockage caused by engine exhaust flames

3. Chemical poisoning

The surface rare metals lose their activity and cannot play a catalytic role. The sulfur and phosphorus in fuel and lubricating oil, manganese and lead in antiknock agents, and carbon monoxide produced by incomplete combustion of fuel cause poisoning and failure of the ternary catalyst. The poison will adsorb on the active surface of the catalyst and form a chemical adsorption complex.

4. High-temperature deactivation

When the three-way catalytic converter is exposed to high temperature conditions for a long time, it may cause high-temperature deactivation. The reasons for the high temperature generated by the three-way catalytic converter include: the intense oxidation and heat release reaction caused by the combustion of the engine exhaust flame in the catalytic converter, continuous high-speed and heavy load operation of the car, sudden braking/deceleration of the car, etc.