Automobile Emissions Essay Research Paper ABSTRACTPollution from — страница 6

these pollutants in the exhaust. The catalyst enables oxidation of hydrocarbons at much lower temperatures than normally possible, so the emission is also reduced. 4. CONCLUSION Since the introduction of legislation in America in 1970 requiring substantial reductions in emissions from motor vehicles, catalyst technology has played a major part in maintaining air quality. With the introduction of similar standards in other countries, the automobile industry represents the largest single use for catalyst systems. However, it must be noted that the internal combustion engine will soon approach its development limit as far as emission technology is concerned. The need for significant reduction in carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions will ultimately require the

use of an alternative energy source to power vehicles. Developments are being pursued in the use of “clean fuels” such as reformulating gasoline and diesel fuel as well as methanol and natural gas in advanced engine design. Ultimately however, we can expect severe environmental legislation which will be met only by a completely new power source. Efforts are being undertaken by the automotive industry to replace the current power source for automobiles. Electric powered cars, solar powered cars and vehicles which utilize several power sources concurrently (hybrid) are all being intensively researched. While the emission standards for cars set by the 1970 Clean Air Act Amendments were considered adequate at the time, air quality has not significantly improved as projected due

to the expanding car population in industrialized countries. By observing the possible ill effects to human health and well being mentioned earlier, it can only be concluded that for the eventual “cleaning” of our atmosphere, a power source with 0 emission will one day need to be implemented in our main means of transportation, the automobile. REFERENCES 7. K.C. Taylor, Chem Tech., London, New York: Chapman and Hall, 1990; pp 525-60 8. H Klingenberg & H. Winneke, Total Environment, Houston: Gulf publishing, 1990; pp 95-106. 9. B.E. Enga, Platinum Metals Review, New York: Chapman and Hall, 1982;pp26-32 10. Ibid., pp 45-54 Bibliography Pollution from automobile emissions has become over the past few decades an issue of great concern. With a growing number of motor vehicles

on our roads great concern has been attributed to the effects of these emissions to our health and to the environment. Several of the gases emitted, which when present in certain concentrations in our atmosphere can be toxic, therefor these ultimate concentrations must never be achieved. Strict legislation as well as sophisticated control technology has been implemented in the automotive industry in order to limit the pollution caused. These aspects of automotive pollution shall be further discussed in this paper.