Can catalytic converters that reduce carbon monoxide emissions help to combat global warming?

Question

Even though carbon monoxide is not a greenhouse gas, it elevates the amount of methane and eventually oxidizes to carbon dioxide

Answer 1

OK, you got me. What's the natural chemical reaction that creates (reduces) methane from carbon monoxide?

Answer 2

First of all, carbon monoxide is also a greenhouse gas. But, it's also very deadly ... hence the need for catalytic converters.

Second, carbon monoxide does NOT elevate the amount of methane. The converter oxidizes the carbon monoxide, creating carbon dioxide ... methane does not come into play.

One drawback of converters is that a byproduct is nitrogen dioxide ... a contributor to acid rain.

Answer 3

Three molocules are required to have a greenhouse gas and carbon monoxide only has two. The catalytic converters cause monoxide to be oxidized to dioxide, therefore creating more greenhouse gas than if it was not converted.

Answer 4

Well, catalytic converters reduce carbon monoxide and complete the combustion of hydrocarbons that don't get oxidized in the cars cylinders--thus rendering the products of comustion into carbon dioxide and water. Since carbon dioxide and water are totally harmless-natually occuring gasses, the catalytic converter is doing its important job.

The fairy-tale of global warming is diverting attention from real environmental problems like smog and water pollution.

Answer 5

Not really. Its not a bad idea. But a catalytic reaction has to have something to work with. And about all there is is the oxygen in the air. So--you're going to end up with CO2. You don't want to create carbon-nitrogen compounds--they tend to be unstable (explosive).

Answer 6

Catalytic converters were mandated to combat gasses causing global cooling in the 1970's.

The exact same gasses being blamed for global warming now.