Do China V diesel vehicles have three-way catalytic converters?
4 Answers
China V diesel vehicles are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. Not all vehicles have three-way catalytic converters; in earlier years, vehicles produced in China that did not meet the China II emission standards were not equipped with them. Composition of the three-way catalytic converter: A three-way catalytic converter generally consists of four parts: the shell, damping layer, substrate, and catalyst coating. Shell: Made of stainless steel to prevent oxide scale from falling off, which could clog the substrate. Damping layer: Composed of gaskets or wire mesh pads, it serves to seal, insulate, and secure the substrate. To protect the substrate from damage caused by vibration, thermal deformation, and other factors, the gasket is made of expanded mica and aluminum silicate fibers, bonded together with adhesive. Substrate: Made of honeycomb-shaped ceramic material, though many also use metal (including stainless steel) materials. Catalyst: Composed of precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, sprayed onto the substrate to form the purifying agent. Lifespan of the three-way catalytic converter: The lifespan of a three-way catalytic converter is generally between 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. The specific lifespan depends on the vehicle's usage conditions, and it is also related to the quality of the fuel used and the driving environment.
I have researched automotive emission systems for many years. China V diesel vehicles indeed do not have three-way catalytic converters, as these are primarily designed for gasoline engines to treat carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. Diesel engines operate differently, with higher exhaust temperatures and more oxygen, making them unsuitable for the working principle of three-way catalysts. Under the China V standard, diesel vehicles are equipped with diesel oxidation catalysts to reduce harmful gases, particulate filters to trap soot particles, and selective catalytic reduction systems that use urea to treat nitrogen oxides. These systems are more complex than the three-way catalysts in gasoline vehicles but efficiently meet emission requirements. Understanding these differences helps vehicle owners better maintain their cars and avoid emission failures. Additionally, China V diesel vehicles significantly reduce pollution in urban areas, making a substantial contribution to environmental protection.
As an owner of a National V diesel vehicle, I usually drive a pickup truck for deliveries and am very familiar with its emission system. This vehicle doesn't have a three-way catalytic converter, but it's equipped with a particulate filter and urea injection system to reduce exhaust pollution. When I first bought the car, I checked the user manual and found it different from gasoline vehicles. During driving, DPF regeneration occasionally requires a stretch of highway driving to prevent clogging alarms. The urea tank needs refilling every few thousand kilometers, which is slightly inconvenient but beneficial for air quality improvement. Especially in congested areas, there's noticeably less soot. Although these systems require maintenance, I support environmental technologies. Overall, the emission control is more sophisticated than in gasoline vehicles.
As an environmentally conscious individual, I noticed that China's National V diesel vehicles have abandoned the three-way catalytic converter in favor of particulate filters and SCR systems. This significantly reduces PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide emissions, aligning with the country's stringent standards. Diesel engines aren't suited for three-way catalysts, but the new devices handle soot more effectively. As a vehicle owner, I believe this design improves urban air quality and reduces smog. Although maintenance is slightly more complex, its ecological benefits make it worth promoting.
