Automobiles are machines equipped with power-engines which convert the fuel chemical energy into mechanical energy through the combustion with air.

 

During this process, in addition to the main combustion products (carbon dioxide CO2 and water H2O), atmosphere-polluting substances are also generated.

 

Since combustion is a very fast process and the thermo-dynamic balance is never reached, exhaust gases contain products such as soot, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

 

Due to the high combustion temperature, nitrogen oxides are also formed as a result of the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the air.

 

The main pollutants produced by the engine are: CO (carbon monoxide), HC (unburned hydrocarbons), NOx (nitrogen oxides), PM (particulate matter)

 

The reduction of polluting substances produced by motor vehicles, also considering the numbers of vehicles in circulation today, is an unavoidable condition for the protection of the environment.

 

Among the technically acceptable remedies, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS represent the most effective solution: they are capable of reducing by more than 90% the polluting substances emitted by the vehicle for more than 100,000 km under any driving condition.

 

The knowledge in this field is highly specialized, and the research focuses on two main objectives: the efficiency and life of catalytic converters.

 

Magneti Marelli Exhaust Systems is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of integrated systems for the reduction of polluting emissions for vehicle-type applications.