What is the purpose of a three-way catalytic converter?

[Jose]

The three-way catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in a vehicle's exhaust system. It converts harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx emitted from vehicle exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. Simply put, its function is to purify exhaust gases. The working principle of the three-way catalytic converter: 1. When engine exhaust gases pass through the exhaust pipe, the catalytic action of the purifying agent in the three-way catalytic converter enhances the activity of CO, HC, and NOx, facilitating oxidation and reduction reactions. 2. CO is oxidized into colorless, non-toxic CO2 at high temperatures, HC compounds are oxidized into H2O and CO2 at high temperatures, and NOx is reduced into N2 (nitrogen) and O2 (oxygen), thereby purifying the engine's exhaust emissions.