Catalytic Converter: Description and Operation

Fig. 9 Three-way Catalyst System:

In this three-way catalyst system, Fig. 9, the oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) and reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in exhaust gas can take place simultaneously. Thus, the three-way catalyst purifies the exhaust gas by converting its harmful components gas into harmless carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O) and nitrogen (N2).