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Platinum Group Metal (PGM) use is dominated by the automotive industry. The PGM market is sensitive to shifts in the drivers for emission control and the delicate supply-demand balance. Technology shifts in the emission control industry are particularly impactful because of the automotive market's dominance and the consequent ability to significantly affect metal prices. On the supply side, evolving ore ratios of platinum, palladium and rhodium, production ramp-up times, geopolitical factors, and labor relations contribute to a challenging production environment. This is mitigated by a growing above-ground supply from spent autocatalysts. The availability of spent autocatalyst is critical to alleviate the pressure on primary supply and is especially important in light of the hurdles primary PGM producers face. This paper reviews technology developments, legislative drivers, and consumer trends in the automotive industry and their impact on PGM demand.

Further stringent emission legislation requires advanced technologies, such as sophisticated engine management and advanced catalyst and substrate to achieve high catalytic performance, especially during the light-off phase. This paper presents the results of calculations and measurements of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide light-off performance for substrates of different wall thickness, cell density and cell shapes. The experimental data from catalyst light-off testing on an engine dynamometer are compared with theoretical results of computer modeling under different temperature ramps and flow rates. The reaction kinetics in the computer modeling are derived from the best fit for the performance of conventional ceramic substrate (6mil/400cpsi), by comparing the theoretical and experimental results on both HC and CO emissions. The calibrated computer model predicts the effects of different wall thickness, cell density and cell shape.

New ultra-low vehicle emission legislation requires advanced catalyst systems to achieve high conversion requirements. Manufacturers have to improve both the washcoat formulations and the catalyst substrate technology to meet these new regulations. This paper will present the results of a computer modeling study on the effects of ultra-thinwall catalysts on hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide light-off performance improvement. The experimental data from catalyst light-off testing on an engine dynamometer are compared with theoretical results of advanced substrate modeling for ultra-thin wall ceramic substrates. Results show that thermal mass has the greatest effect on light-off performance. Decreases in wall thickness offer the greatest benefit to light-off performance by lowering the thermal mass of the substrate, thus allowing it to reach light-off temperature faster.