Catalytic converter technology continues to advance with the help of platinum, with Japanese company Acura the latest to chart a new development.

The firm's catalytic converter uses platinum as the catalyst as the final stage in the emissions reduction process, although the company says it is also using other pgms such as palladium, and rhodium.

Acura says it has been able to reduce the harmful by-products emerging from car exhausts, with the use of pgms enabling the internal combustion engine to work to optimum efficiency.

The firm explained: "Catalysts are a part of the whole system that we call the Acura catalytic converter.

"These catalysts are commonly platinum, or palladium and rhodium.

"It works quite well because no useful energy is extracted from the engine because it works with the combustion, or redox, process continues outside the engine’s combustion chamber."

Acura's converter is expected to be popular with manufacturers of luxury and top range vehicles, and is currently being used by Honda.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd