Catalytic Converter Developed By Washcoat Of γ-Alumina On Nickel Oxide (Nio) Catalyst In FeCrAl Substrate For Exhaust Emission Control : A Review

Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, 86400 Johor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: mutalib@uthm.edu.my

Abstract

Automobile exhaust emission control is one of the trending issues in automobile research field. The existing catalytic converter using the noble metals of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rd) recently were in limited supply and higher in cost. There is a need for the automotive industry to produce ultra-low emitting vehicles at a reasonable cost. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of methods of fabrication of modified catalytic converter by approaching FeCrAl as a substrate which treated using ultrasonic bath technique to improve the exhaust emission control. The modified catalytic converter preparation will involve the ultrasonic bath process of FeCrAl foil which has fabricated as metallic monolith coated by γ-Al₂O₃ powder. Nickel as catalyst material will be prepared using electroplating process. The oxidation test will be conducted using a tube and automatic furnace in temperature of 1100°C for 100 hours. Mitsubishi 4G93 1800cc Petrol E.F.I with a multi -gas analyzer equipped with a hydraulic dynamometer will be used for emission measurements of HC, CO, and NO_x in varying speed and load for both conditions with and without catalytic converter. The result will expect the γ-Al₂O₃ as the washcoat material that fully embedded to FeCrAl substrate with the combination of ultrasonic and electroplating technique will effectively convert the CO, NO_x and HC to CO₂, NO₂ and H₂O which means that catalytic converter is effective to improve exhaust emission control of diesel engine. The FeCrAl substrate as a metallic catalytic converter which coated by γ-Al₂O₃ using ultrasonic and nickelelectroplating technique may improve the exhaust emission control.