Engine test bench experiments to determine platinum emissions from three-way catalytic converters

Abstract

From many years of experience with stationary technical catalytic converters it is known that part of the active material becomes detached and is released. This depends upon pressure, temperature and other operating conditions. Thus, despite subsequently installed catchment systems, the platinum loss in the US production of nitric acid was estimated at 217 kg in 1989. The nitrogen fertilizers produced from this therefore constitute a continuous source of platinum contamination of agricultural land (WHO 1991).