Regeneration of vehicle catalytic converters by metal treatment system in monoliths

Abstract

This article focuses on the study of the regeneration of catalyst monolith metals used in gasoline vehicles, through the realization of the oxidation-reduction method at: controlled temperature, exposure time and constant flow of inert gases (N2 and H2). According to the size and shape of the monolith structure of the commercial 2-way and 3-way catalysts used for the test, rectangular samples with a weight of 4.125 g and a cubic cut with 20 mm edges were taken for the study. In addition, the emissions behavior of each of the gases after regeneration was analyzed by means of a gas analyzer incorporated directly to the reactor with the samples treated in a vehicle without catalytic converter, thus determining that through the oxidation-reduction process the species of the catalytic monolith are recovered. In this way, the catalytic process of transforming harmful emissions into harmless gases, product of the combustion processes of gasoline engines, is improved, thus reducing the environmental waste they produce after elimination. It should be noted that in simple processes, due to its ceramic structure and the presence of noble metals, its elimination is difficult.