The catalytic converter on a car is tasked with breaking down many of the harmful gases that are a side effect of the modern internal combustion engine. There are two distinct designs used to achieve this result - bead or honeycomb.
The internal combustion engine is based on an incredibly simple concept. Mix something flammable with oxygen and a spark and you will get an explosion. When controlled, this explosion can be used to push a piston down with the pressure created. This then turns a shaft that eventually delivers power to the wheels. Cars have become much more sophisticated over time, but this is still the same fundamental process that happens in every vehicle. The problem, of course, is it produces gases that are not good for you, me or the environment. That's where the catalytic convert comes in.
A catalytic converter works by forcing the gases from the engine to run past chemical compounds. These compounds then break down the gases into more refined gases. These refined gases are not toxic to individuals or environments. One need simply look at the skyline of any major city in the United States to see the difference these converters have made. The smog filled skyline is a thing of the past in most places.
There are two types of catalytic converters. The first is the honeycomb version. As the name suggests, the converter is a cylinder with multiple honeycombs pieces crossing it. These honeycombs are coated with rhodium, palladium and platinum in most cases. As the exhaust is forced through the honeycombs, they interact with these chemicals and the exhaust is rendered into inert gases and chemicals such as oxygen and nitrogen.
The second type of catalytic converter uses ceramic beads. They are coated with the same chemicals as found with the honeycomb design. As the exhaust passes through the chamber, it runs across the beads and the exhaust is rendered inert. The beads are round and actively move around the converter as the car moves, which gives them equal exposure to the exhaust.
Does it matter which version of the catalytic convert you have? No, not really. Both have advanced to the point that either will do the job very well.
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