I tip my metaphorical hat to you sir... you cover some heavy topics but i can keep up with every single one. This is what youtube was built for... sharing knowledge. Cant thank you enough
Still watching 5 years later! Thank you so much for you awesome work ! You’re my partner during my exam haha, it helps a lot thanks to your simplicity and your clearness. Hope your passion and imagination to prepare great subjects will never end :D
It's the carbon in the exhaust, which hasn't been filtered out. Modern diesels typically will have DPFs (diesel particulate filters) which will almost eliminate this.
Great to hear! Some of it is still a little voodoo to me. I don't fully understand the attraction between the catalyst and the molecules. Obviously it has to do with the electron cloud; but I don't enjoy chemistry enough to continue to dive deeper.
Oxygen alone is fairly dangerous so this isn't too common to do. It's safer to use it as a molecule with N2O which keeps the oxygen from igniting until it has split from the two nitrogen atoms.
@EngineeringExplained Your videos have helped me so much. I started watching your videos a couple days ago and am almost done with them all. I am currently a sophomore in mechanical engineering and have always liked cars. Your videos have made me want to explore cars more in-depth. Thanks again!
The engine block itself shouldn't be getting that ridiculously hot, as it has ports flowing through with coolant that try to keep the temperature somewhere around 200 degrees F (coolant temp). So I don't think water getting on the block would be a huge concern (obviously it happens when it rains or you dive through a puddle. That said, I wouldn't simply dump a bucket of water in it; and driving through deep water can cause countless problems.
I know this is 10 years old. Love coming across this content. Fantastic. Nice to witness smart, well educated young people on the internet. Great job young man! Excellent presentation. It would be interesting to know what you are doing with your career and education these days. Thank you
Typically they last the life of the vehicle, but you'll know upon your car inspection whether or not. If you do have to replace it, it can be as simple as unbolting and putting the new one in; sometimes it will require some welding.
I've been a partner for over a year. In fact, anyone can be a partner now; but I applied before April of 2012 where you still had to be accepted into the program.
Certainly both technologies need to evolve and improve over time; catalytic converters are not 100% efficient, so keeping the engine efficient is important too. Also, catalytic converters cannot eliminate CO2.
Well hopefully this video illustrated the reason. If the water condenses (water is a product of combustion) you may see it drip out the back of the exhaust.
Well done. Nice explanation, overview and graphics. Basic stuff, but what I needed. I think it would help to have taken basic chemistry to appreciate and absorb the information presented. As far as I can tell the chemistry is spot on but simplified. Thanks!
I found this to be simplified in a good way, yet very informative. Simplified explanation goes a long way in theory retention. Do you have anything on EGR cooler and it’s function? Thanks 😊
Excellent video on the chemical interaction with the catalyst + the two types of catalysts in a converter. I love watching your videos! Thanks for sharing.
Great video, I haven't been able to find a single other explanation of cats other than that they burn off the harmful gases. Which raised way more questions than answers for me. Thank you for going into just a little bit of detail so I can understand the core principles of how these things worked. Everybody else just made it sound like Voodoo.
It is India. We are still in Euro 3 standard. They say it is one of the features of Euro 3. I have heard someone saying that the oxygen provision is merely to dilute the exhaust gases so that there will be less harmful gases per unit volume. So it does not help to reduce harmful gases instead it just fools around. But I think it does some job of burning the exess fuel as you said.
Well, not trying to make you feel stupid haha, but do a quick search on my channel for "rotary" and you should find it. Or simply "rotary engine - explained" in the YT search bar. No worries, I'd rather already have a video on it than not! :)
This is why if you are failing your vehicle inspection due to emissions they will sometimes tell you to go for a long drive then try again, because the catalytic converter will be more efficient once it has warmed up due to you driving it around a lot
You should talk about how the 02 sensors work on all this. Is it true, that the ECU will send more fuel, so that unburnt fuel will make it to the CAT? Also, how does the alcohol play into all this? They did not have it in the fuel when they mandated all these CATs. Are we wasting fuel, in order to try and "clean-up" the exhaust? How much cleaner would our exhaust be if we did not throw waste crank case oil, back into the intake?
Thats cool and all, thanks for the explain, BUT what I don't see SULPHUR / SO/SO2..etc on your white board, and its Nasty rotten egg, or the"fart" smell from whenever someone mashes on the accelerator to much. So where does that nasty smell come from, AND exactly HOW is that "cleaner"??
Hi Jason, What are the benefits of having two catalytic converters in a car? Is it to increase longevity of the catalytic converters or to increase efficiency of the catalytic converters?
Should be awesome that you can post videos on Twin Charge systems like in VAG, or Launch control, or MSD ignition systems, or variable geometry turbos, or KERS, or Regenerative Braking.... also if you can talk about the new regulations for F1 next year on turbo engines... Nice Channel keep up the good work!
Can you explain how to calculate the unburned fuel in the exhaust? I've watched your O2 sensor and exhaust videos and don't see that detail... Specifically I'm looking to find out how much of the fuel was not burned in the engine (pre cat). I'm certain there is some way by using the CO and CxHx. Can you help me or point me in a direction where I can find the answer?
So, in an ideal world, the catalytic converter would never need to be changed since it's "self cleaning". what are some things that would create the need to replace one, since it seems most emission and exhaust shops recommend replacing them often (5-10 years)
Although this may seem like a silly question, Im still curious...Does a cat cause much back pressure (Perhaps even enough to restrict some exhaust gases from leaving the cylinder during the exhaust stroke)? Would a car be more powerful without one or is the affect it causes so little it wouldn't make a difference?
A few technical questions here. If that first reduction stage is for removing NOx emissions, why do some diesel engines require diesel exhaust fluid to remove these emissions? Similarly, you probably remember when Volkswagen got into trouble with software that tricked emissions test results, so that in normal everyday use the engine could burn leaner and more fuel efficient, but more NOx emissions. Doesn't the reduction stage get rid of those emissions?
You can't use this type of catalytic converter in a Diesel. A 3-way catalytic converter requires a nearly stochiometric air-fuelratio to work. A Diesel runs lean most of the time which makes the whole exhaust aftertreatment a lot more complex.
Thanks for the episode! I have a new car model (about 2017) working on diesel and a semi-open garage (I mean there is a ceiling that covers two-thirds of the car but not all the car, three walls but there is no door in the entry, and instead 2,5 meters of fresh air). Can carbon monoxide still be dangerous if the car's motor remains on, or is it safe even if I forget to put it off and stay inside the garage??
At 1:23 you said the nitric oxide bonds weren't as strong as the bonds with oxygen and the catalysts. What exactly do you mean by this? I know the electronegativity can't be as high in those bonds so what physical mechanisms are occurring that cause this? I've taken a couple of college level chemistry courses and I'm about to take organic chem. What you spoke about here is what we are about to go over in class and I was hoping you could give me a good explanation of a real life example. Thank you and you do have amazing videos.
Does lacquer thinner in gas tank can clean the catalytic converter without damage to the hoses or rubber components? I have the code P0420 on my 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo
I don't know how silly of a question this is, but would it be impractical to implement this on a large scale outside of the automotive industry in order to improve the air quality of a city? I do understand that rhodium, platinum, and palladium are extremely expensive. Is that the main restricting factor?
I have seen in some motorbikes that there will be a supply of oxygen from intake manifold to catalytic converter. Is it to increase the oxydation process?
Question on the placement of catalytic converters. Say i wanted my car to shoot flames without removing my catalytic converter all together. But instead move it to the very end of the exhaust system. Would that still be street legal if the rest of the piping is there and fully sealed? What are your thoughts on this idea. Otherwise im ditching the cat for a spark plug at the tailpipe
Do you have a video on the O2 sensor that's before and after the Cat? If not can you make one? I do have an idea from their name but to know exactly how they work and sync with other parts would be nice. Thanks for another great video, please keep it up. Learning a lot!
I don't know if i'm asking this in the right video but why does diesel engines (at least from my observation) tend to produce visible exhaust gasses and in time, exhaust dark smoke?
Hi. Would you agree that the stuff entering the catalytic converter is on some level still could be called by name fuel? Does not matter what grade but would it be in your world a fuel?
Hmmm. Can you please explain why blocking the exhaust allows carbon monoxide to build up? It's definitely a question I have seeing as the Cat should eliminate the carbon monoxide molecules.
I tip my metaphorical hat to you sir... you cover some heavy topics but i can keep up with every single one. This is what youtube was built for... sharing knowledge. Cant thank you enough
Your vids truly are a blessing, I watch at least one of your videos every day knowing I learned something new.
Thanks for watching so frequently, glad you enjoy them!
Engineering Explained your videos have helped me significantly at my job at AutoZone. Can’t thank you enough!
You're very welcome, thank you for watching!
Still watching 5 years later! Thank you so much for you awesome work ! You’re my partner during my exam haha, it helps a lot thanks to your simplicity and your clearness. Hope your passion and imagination to prepare great subjects will never end :D
Man I am working on my Master degree in ME and your videos help me so much
It's the carbon in the exhaust, which hasn't been filtered out. Modern diesels typically will have DPFs (diesel particulate filters) which will almost eliminate this.
Great to hear! Some of it is still a little voodoo to me. I don't fully understand the attraction between the catalyst and the molecules. Obviously it has to do with the electron cloud; but I don't enjoy chemistry enough to continue to dive deeper.
Oxygen alone is fairly dangerous so this isn't too common to do. It's safer to use it as a molecule with N2O which keeps the oxygen from igniting until it has split from the two nitrogen atoms.
@EngineeringExplained Your videos have helped me so much. I started watching your videos a couple days ago and am almost done with them all. I am currently a sophomore in mechanical engineering and have always liked cars. Your videos have made me want to explore cars more in-depth. Thanks again!
You may be interested in my videos on rotational inertia. Aside from that I don't have much to say about rims.
Downforce, for higher cornering speeds/traction. Check out my video "front wing" which goes into a bit of detail of aero in F1 racing.
The engine block itself shouldn't be getting that ridiculously hot, as it has ports flowing through with coolant that try to keep the temperature somewhere around 200 degrees F (coolant temp). So I don't think water getting on the block would be a huge concern (obviously it happens when it rains or you dive through a puddle. That said, I wouldn't simply dump a bucket of water in it; and driving through deep water can cause countless problems.
I know this is 10 years old. Love coming across this content. Fantastic. Nice to witness smart, well educated young people on the internet. Great job young man! Excellent presentation. It would be interesting to know what you are doing with your career and education these days. Thank you
Thousands of tiny little ducks, you say....
Typically they last the life of the vehicle, but you'll know upon your car inspection whether or not. If you do have to replace it, it can be as simple as unbolting and putting the new one in; sometimes it will require some welding.
I've been a partner for over a year. In fact, anyone can be a partner now; but I applied before April of 2012 where you still had to be accepted into the program.
Your videos are far better than that guy who thinks he's a comedian. I appreciate presentations that get straight to the point.
Certainly both technologies need to evolve and improve over time; catalytic converters are not 100% efficient, so keeping the engine efficient is important too. Also, catalytic converters cannot eliminate CO2.
Great job! This is the best explanation I have found on youtube.
Thanks!
Unbolt it, and yes, it could. You should leave it in as most states require one legally.
Great explanation. I've seen inside a catalytic converter, and have always been curious as to how it works exactly.
Glad the video quality and explanations improved over time.
Assuming it's the most restrictive part, yes (not necessarily true). Though it's illegal in most states, and should be kept on.
I've got a video on KERS, regen braking pending. I also do want to do a video on the new F1 engines eventually.
This is a great video man. Needed to learn how they worked fast and this helped so much. Thank you.
+Steve Carter that make us two
+Agostinho José Alexandre And possibly 3. :)
Simplest (smartest) description I have found...
Well hopefully this video illustrated the reason. If the water condenses (water is a product of combustion) you may see it drip out the back of the exhaust.
It's a mix with the other elements I mentioned.
Rich a/f mixture.
Yep, I believe that's true.
Well done. Nice explanation, overview and graphics. Basic stuff, but what I needed. I think it would help to have taken basic chemistry to appreciate and absorb the information presented. As far as I can tell the chemistry is spot on but simplified. Thanks!
This is why I love your channel. extremely simple to understand how cats work. What's the connection to the need for an operating temperature?
I'm watching all your videos for years now. But every time I re watch them ,I learn more stuff then previous time. :))
how often do the inner plates need soot cleaning?
Help, yes, but a room full of CO2 is just as dangerous; if oxygen is limited.
I found this to be simplified in a good way, yet very informative. Simplified explanation goes a long way in theory retention. Do you have anything on EGR cooler and it’s function? Thanks 😊
Excellent video on the chemical interaction with the catalyst + the two types of catalysts in a converter. I love watching your videos! Thanks for sharing.
The air you're breathing is 78% nitrogen.
thanks for the explanation. are any companies looking to do co2 capture in addition to catalytic converters?
Not positive, I assume they just have a greater area for the exhaust to pass through.
Yes, sounds good, best of luck!
Basically it's much easier for the chemical reactions described in the video to occur when the system is at a higher temperature.
Great video, I haven't been able to find a single other explanation of cats other than that they burn off the harmful gases. Which raised way more questions than answers for me. Thank you for going into just a little bit of detail so I can understand the core principles of how these things worked. Everybody else just made it sound like Voodoo.
It is India. We are still in Euro 3 standard. They say it is one of the features of Euro 3. I have heard someone saying that the oxygen provision is merely to dilute the exhaust gases so that there will be less harmful gases per unit volume. So it does not help to reduce harmful gases instead it just fools around. But I think it does some job of burning the exess fuel as you said.
Cool, I'm only 14 and I feel like I could explain a whole car and put one together your awesome😄!
It can cause back pressure, hence the creation of high-flow cats.
I will be making a video on O2 sensors, yes!
Great, thanks for watching! Seriously 100+ videos in a few days? Maybe time for a nap.
great videos ..very helpful during exams. THANK YOU
Well, not trying to make you feel stupid haha, but do a quick search on my channel for "rotary" and you should find it. Or simply "rotary engine - explained" in the YT search bar. No worries, I'd rather already have a video on it than not! :)
This is why if you are failing your vehicle inspection due to emissions they will sometimes tell you to go for a long drive then try again, because the catalytic converter will be more efficient once it has warmed up due to you driving it around a lot
is this why a lot of exhausts on a healthy car can be a little smoky on cold start-up?
You should talk about how the 02 sensors work on all this. Is it true, that the ECU will send more fuel, so that unburnt fuel will make it to the CAT? Also, how does the alcohol play into all this? They did not have it in the fuel when they mandated all these CATs. Are we wasting fuel, in order to try and "clean-up" the exhaust? How much cleaner would our exhaust be if we did not throw waste crank case oil, back into the intake?
I learnt so much in less than 5 minutes. why can't all science be taught like this?
Yang Zhou but you didn't *learn* how to spell...
I believe they all use the same basic set-up; the high-flow ones just have more area to pass through.
Could you please make a video on fuel maps and ECU programms
Thats cool and all, thanks for the explain, BUT what I don't see SULPHUR / SO/SO2..etc on your white board, and its Nasty rotten egg, or the"fart" smell from whenever someone mashes on the accelerator to much. So where does that nasty smell come from, AND exactly HOW is that "cleaner"??
Interesting, perhaps to aid in burning off any excess fuel.
Drive an electric car. Unfortunately it's a product of combustion.
We're covering hydrocarbons in Chemistry again, and that oxidation/combustion equation does come up. Neat.
Hi Jason, What are the benefits of having two catalytic converters in a car? Is it to increase longevity of the catalytic converters or to increase efficiency of the catalytic converters?
I believe the vast majority do not.
The alignment is off a bit.
I'm mostly interested in the way it steered.. I was really amazed after I saw some behind the scenes stuff with the car going sideways and stuff!
You can still install a high flow cat, and unless your engine is absolutely absurd (perhaps for drag) you can get away with it.
Should be awesome that you can post videos on Twin Charge systems like in VAG, or Launch control, or MSD ignition systems, or variable geometry turbos, or KERS, or Regenerative Braking.... also if you can talk about the new regulations for F1 next year on turbo engines... Nice Channel keep up the good work!
Water vapor, a product of combustion.
It's time to build catalytic converters that also captures carbon dioxide.
Thank you man, srsly this was the only video that helped me with the homework, you are a superhero
Tal vez un dia!
Can you explain how to calculate the unburned fuel in the exhaust? I've watched your O2 sensor and exhaust videos and don't see that detail... Specifically I'm looking to find out how much of the fuel was not burned in the engine (pre cat). I'm certain there is some way by using the CO and CxHx. Can you help me or point me in a direction where I can find the answer?
So, in an ideal world, the catalytic converter would never need to be changed since it's "self cleaning". what are some things that would create the need to replace one, since it seems most emission and exhaust shops recommend replacing them often (5-10 years)
Although this may seem like a silly question, Im still curious...Does a cat cause much back pressure (Perhaps even enough to restrict some exhaust gases from leaving the cylinder during the exhaust stroke)? Would a car be more powerful without one or is the affect it causes so little it wouldn't make a difference?
Which converter contains platinum mostly ? Petrol or Diesel ? After purchase from the scraps, precious metals existing in there or not ?
Thanks much! That was well explained and not excessively complicated. Cheers
There must be a way of using the heat from the exhaust gases, prior to being put through the converter, to get it up to temp faster.
A few technical questions here. If that first reduction stage is for removing NOx emissions, why do some diesel engines require diesel exhaust fluid to remove these emissions? Similarly, you probably remember when Volkswagen got into trouble with software that tricked emissions test results, so that in normal everyday use the engine could burn leaner and more fuel efficient, but more NOx emissions. Doesn't the reduction stage get rid of those emissions?
You can't use this type of catalytic converter in a Diesel.
A 3-way catalytic converter requires a nearly stochiometric air-fuelratio to work. A Diesel runs lean most of the time which makes the whole exhaust aftertreatment a lot more complex.
I'd like to understand a few of the Porsche technologies. Rear Wheel Steering, Dynamic Vectoring, etc.
Thanks for the episode!
I have a new car model (about 2017) working on diesel and a semi-open garage (I mean there is a ceiling that covers two-thirds of the car but not all the car, three walls but there is no door in the entry, and instead 2,5 meters of fresh air).
Can carbon monoxide still be dangerous if the car's motor remains on, or is it safe even if I forget to put it off and stay inside the garage??
At 1:23 you said the nitric oxide bonds weren't as strong as the bonds with oxygen and the catalysts. What exactly do you mean by this? I know the electronegativity can't be as high in those bonds so what physical mechanisms are occurring that cause this? I've taken a couple of college level chemistry courses and I'm about to take organic chem. What you spoke about here is what we are about to go over in class and I was hoping you could give me a good explanation of a real life example. Thank you and you do have amazing videos.
Does lacquer thinner in gas tank can clean the catalytic converter without damage to the hoses or rubber components? I have the code P0420 on my 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo
Haha I don't know what was up with that car. They said it was a diesel but I don't think it sounded anything like a diesel.
I don't know how silly of a question this is, but would it be impractical to implement this on a large scale outside of the automotive industry in order to improve the air quality of a city? I do understand that rhodium, platinum, and palladium are extremely expensive. Is that the main restricting factor?
So would being decat be illigal? I mean as in, you won't be able to pass the emissiontests ect?
Good job man, I've been looking for videos like this. Super helpful
I have seen in some motorbikes that there will be a supply of oxygen from intake manifold to catalytic converter. Is it to increase the oxydation process?
This is probably how dragons breathe fire
this is an underrated comment
if you can please tell us what are the gases coming out from the tail pipe if the engine is running lean, and if its running rich.
Thank you.
Question on the placement of catalytic converters. Say i wanted my car to shoot flames without removing my catalytic converter all together. But instead move it to the very end of the exhaust system. Would that still be street legal if the rest of the piping is there and fully sealed? What are your thoughts on this idea. Otherwise im ditching the cat for a spark plug at the tailpipe
Do you have a video on the O2 sensor that's before and after the Cat? If not can you make one? I do have an idea from their name but to know exactly how they work and sync with other parts would be nice. Thanks for another great video, please keep it up. Learning a lot!
I don't know if i'm asking this in the right video but why does diesel engines (at least from my observation) tend to produce visible exhaust gasses and in time, exhaust dark smoke?
And the heat from the previous ignition separates N20 back into it's elements? Makes sense thanks
Hi. Would you agree that the stuff entering the catalytic converter is on some level still could be called by name fuel? Does not matter what grade but would it be in your world a fuel?
If you were looking for more power would you just do without the catalytic converter altogether?
Hmmm. Can you please explain why blocking the exhaust allows carbon monoxide to build up? It's definitely a question I have seeing as the Cat should eliminate the carbon monoxide molecules.
so if i understand it right, cats eliminate flames on motorbikes when one is present? in europe theyre very strict about it nowadays
Explained really well. Easy to understand :)
Thank You,this helped me on my science C1 Exam
Emo phase of engineering explained! Still love it!
And ... That whiteboard never gets old😂
Hello,
?The precious metals in the Catalytic converter, are they found as alloys or nanoparticles
Or just let your car warm up, but yeah. Your engine is going to try and maintain a certain temperature.