Durability Evaluation of Spark-Ignition Engine Three Way Catalytic Converters 2001-26-0012

Three Way Catalytic converters (TWC's) have been in use around the world for the past 25 years or more. As the world progresses towards tighter and tighter automotive emission regulations, not only is it necessary to make catalysts more durable, but also better tests have to be developed to prove their durability.

In the fresh state, catalytic converters are extremely efficient in converting the emissions going through them. However, as the vehicle and emission control system ages, the catalyst tends to degrade and lose its efficiency. Traditionally, automotive manufacturers around the world have developed customized catalyst aging cycles, which demonstrate the durability of the emission control system. In this paper, we will discuss some of the catalyst deactivation mechanisms and methods to simulate them using dynamometer-mounted engines. Methods used for testing dynamometer-aged emissions control systems will also be discussed. We will also show how catalysts are analyzed for deactivation using various analytical laboratory techniques.