what is t he purpose for melting down a clogged catalyic converter?

Answer 1

To make more catylitic converters, and to keep the chemicals out of the land-fill system! The materials inside the "body" are very expensive to produce, (that is why they cost much more than a hundred dollars).

Now if you have a clogged "catalytic" on your car, there is a chemical treatment available that sometimes cleans them out so they work again!

Answer 2

The purpose of a catalytic converter is to convert harmful hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides into harmless compounds. The catalysts inside the catalytic converter convert carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water, and nitrogen oxides back into nitrogen and oxygen.

The catalysts inside of the catalytic converter are precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium coated on a ceramic honeycomb structure or pellets. When exhaust contacts the catalysts a chemical reaction takes place converting the harmful exhaust gases into harmless compounds. Most modern converters contain two distinct catalysts, the reduction catalyst and the oxidation catalyst.

The first stage, or reduction catalyst, consists of a ceramic honeycomb coated with platinum and rhodium. In this section of the converter, Nox emissions are converted to oxygen and nitrogen. The exhaust then flows to the second stage, or oxidation catalyst. It is here where unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are burned or oxidized by passing them over a platinum and palladium honeycomb. The oxygen from the first stage further aids this oxidizing.

The third stage of controlling emissions utilizes an engine management system. Although every automotive manufacturer employs different methods and components, most utilize an oxygen sensor mounted upstream of the converter which transmits a voltage to an onboard computer. This voltage reading varies with the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas. The ideal air fuel ratio for gasoline is 14.7 to 1. If the ratio of air is less than 14.7, then there will be fuel present in the exhaust after combustion therefore creating a rich condition. A lean condition occurs when the ratio of air to fuel exceeds 14.7 to 1. The engine management system uses the voltage reading from the oxygen sensor to make adjustments to the air to fuel ratio, which in turn will either increase or decrease the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas therefore controlling the chemical reactions in the catalytic converter.

Answer 3

Many,but not all contain Platinum. It is easier to recycle it from a used converter than produce new. IT withstands the extreme heat built up inside the unit. If you start your car and it is very noisy, you may be a victim of parking lot thief's who use cordless saws and remove them in the parking lot.

Answer 4

I work for the GM parts Service operations and what is inside those converters is worth a lot of CASH That is all I know. We reqiure a core deposit on them because of the metals inside

Answer 5

The rare metallic elements in the converter are removed, and recycled.

Answer 6

Cash value