What types of pollutions are caused by vehicle engines

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        Parth.U.Patel

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What types of pollutions are caused by vehicle engines?

Cars produce lots of emissions that are harmful to the environment. These emissions are causing great concern around the world. Cars emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water, Not only do vehicles contribute remaining carbon gases, which contribute to global warming and climate change but the products of combustion also produce additional local pollution. Locally the emission of nitrogen oxides, sulphur and carbon particulates (dirt) can be very detrimental to health.

How does catalytic converters helping to resolve these issues?

A catalyst is a substance which changes the rate of a reaction without suffering any permanent damage. Catalysts are not used up during a reaction (so they can be reused), and they are not damaged chemically during a reaction. However, catalysts can become physically damaged, for example the surface of the catalyst can crumble. Only small amounts of catalysts are needed in a reaction, as they are being re-used. Catalysts only affect the rate of the reaction, not the amount of product formed. Catalysts usually speed up chemical reactions; however some catalysts slow down reactions and these are called inhibitors, or negative catalysts. Catalysts are usually specific for one type of reaction, as are biological catalysts (enzymes). Catalysts can be added to cars (catalytic converters) in order to reduce the amount of pollution being emitted.

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In these reactions the pollutants are being converted to carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen which are naturally present in the air. These pollutions do react on their own, but catalysts make them go faster. Catalysts are present in catalytic converters. A lean burn engine uses an oxidation catalyst which removes CO and Hydrocarbons, converting them to carbon dioxide and water. This catalyst system does not remove nitrogen oxides. Catalytic converters can be fitted to ordinary cars; instead of an oxidation catalyst, a three-way catalyst system is needed, which catalyses oxides, CO, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. This catalyst only ...

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