Catalytic converters rely heavily on platinum. Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the converter are oxidized when there is enough oxygen present. In diesel engines, platinum is frequently employed because of its ability to oxidize.
Most of the time, the most cost-effective option wins out when it comes to choosing between palladium and platinum as catalysts for gasoline-powered cars with a balanced exhaust gas composition of oxidants and reductants.
So, how much platinum is in a catalytic converter?
According to the model and manufacturer, the amount of platinum in the catalytic converter might vary dramatically A typical catalyst contains between 3 and 7 grams of platinum, but this depends on the type and the manufacturer.
Using a three-way catalyst in a gasoline-powered vehicle should convert NOx and CO into hydrocarbons. This explains why palladium and platinum aren’t the only metals that can be utilized.
Platinum has various advantages over other transition elements when it comes to catalyzing oxidation events. Some of the perks are as follows:
In spite of the fact that platinum will never come into contact with temperatures in the range of its melting point, this does not mean that platinum has a low thermal conductivity.
In the catalytic converter, nanoparticles of metal are used. It is common for these particles to disperse when they are placed on a very porous support material or combination. As the catalyst temperature rises, the particles begin to move and coalesce.
At Tammann temperature (the temperature at which bulk mobility of metal elements becomes quantifiable), sintering occurs, a process known as sintering.
On the absolute temperature scale, the temperature at which the mobility of the particles becomes quantifiable is assumed to be half of the melting point of the metal.
Metals such as copper and silver, on the other hand, have a strong attraction for sulfur-containing elements, and react with them to produce compounds. As a result, there will be less metal available for reactions when this occurs.
When it comes to getting poisoned, platinum is an exception. Platinum-based catalysts are inhibited rather than poisoned by sulfur-containing molecules.
How much platinum can be recovered from a catalytic converter?
Silver and gold are not considered to be as valuable as platinum, which is considered to be the most valuable metal. Its ductility and malleability are almost identical to those of gold. Platinum is also corrosion-resistant by nature.
Platinum is a precious metal, but its scarcity sets it apart from other metals. To put it another way, its quality surpasses that of gold and silver by a wide margin.
Only one platinum can be found in every fifteen gold bars, which makes it extremely tough to acquire. Ten tons of platinum raw ore are required to produce one ounce of pure platinum.
Only three to seven grams of platinum can be extracted from a catalytic converter. There are various elements that influence the price of these platinum grams, but generally, they cost between $100 and $237 per gram.
Can platinum coming from a used catalytic converter lose its properties?
In contrast to gold and silver, platinum doesn’t tarnish or corrode. Similarly, the platinum recovered from the catalytic converter preserves its characteristics throughout the process of recycling.
Do catalytic converters have more platinum than usual?
The Ferrari F430, which costs more than $3, 770, will be the most expensive car on the market by 2020, according to data collected about the most expensive catalytic converters.
There are four times more valuable metals, such as platinum, coated on the catalytic converters than on the normal one.
Lamborghini Aventador, Ford F-250, Ford Mustang, and Ram 2500 are some of the other vehicles with high-priced catalytic converters. The high platinum concentration of these vehicles’ catalytic converters makes them pricey.
Where does platinum come from?
South Africa, North America, and Russia make up the majority of the world’s platinum producers, with South Africa and Canada accounting for 80% of the total.
What kind of metal is platinum?
Platinum is a silvery chemical element that belongs to group viii’s six transition compounds. Platinium is one of the platinum family of metals. platinum, ruthenium, rhodium and the precious metal iridium.
Platinum is a metal with an atomic number of 78 and an atomic weight of 195.99. An extremely valuable metal that is both heavy and flexible with a high melting temperature.
Where is platinum found?
The ultramafic igneous jewels are where platinum gets its start in the earth’s crust. Gemstones like olivine and chromite are related with it. Because well-formed platinum crystals are so rare, the metal is only discovered in the form of grains and nuggets, making it impossible to determine its exact composition.
Why does platinum become so expensive?
Due to its status as a precious metal, platinum rises in price since precious metals are valued by weight. Platinum’s high cost is due to its density and weight, which are both greater than gold’s.
Platinum, on the other hand, is more valuable than gold due to its scarcity. As a result of this, platinum extraction is more expensive than that of other metals.
To extract platinum, which has a greater melting point, requires a lot of energy because of its high melting point.
As a result of the rising demand for heavy-duty Chinese cars, platinum’s price has risen steadily over the years.
What is the price of platinum today?
Platinum’s current price is influenced by the metric units used. Platinum is priced at $1028 an ounce, $33 a gram, and $33050 a kilogram, respectively.
Conclusion
Platinum is a silvery-white valuable metal utilized in the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in catalytic converters. Platinum. It is mostly utilized in heavy-duty vehicles since it is pliable, flexible, and biodegradable.
Platinum is a more expensive metal with a higher density, and its price is rising at a rapid pace as more people realize their need for it.
