Catalytic Converter Recycling

1. Article1: Globalrefininggroup.com Catalytic Converter Recycling A catalytic converter is an air pollution control device which is fitted in automobiles in order to detoxify the exhaust gas coming out of them. This is achieved through a special catalyst made from platinum group metals, which makes it possible to reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases. We are all aware that platinum is a rare earth metal. Mining of platinum is an extremely lengthy process, with a lot of effort involved along the way. Even after the platinum ore is extracted from the mines, processing it to produce pure metal requires much chemical manipulation, which also ends up causing some amount of pollution in the environment. This is why recycling catalytic converters is an important activity, so that overall pollution levels (as the bottom line) can be brought down and air quality can be made better. It is a common estimate that one ton of platinum ore produces one ounce of pure platinum, which is a shameless amount (this is probably why it is a rare earth metal). A production level that is this low calls for utilization of every single gram of platinum already present in purified form – which is possible if one is to recover this processed platinum. Individually, one catalytic converter may not contain much quantity of platinum. Also, recovering unused platinum from a converter is also not a straightforward process. Therefore, establishment of dedicated facilities for the purpose of extraction of unused platinum from catalytic converters is the correct way of dealing with degradation of the environment. These days, 98% of the automobiles are by default manufactured with a catalytic converter on board. This became a mandate when it was realized that exhaust from automobiles was ruining the air quality, subsequently leading to respiratory diseases in living beings. With so many such devices roaming around the roads, it is possible to feasibly formulate a business case for the greater good. Catalytic converter smelting plants have been set up, which help in platinum recovery from expired catalytic converters. The commonly accepted mode of catalytic converter recycling is as follows: the user of the automobile takes it to a garage in order to get the catalytic converter removed. The owner now checks the market for catalytic converter prices. When this survey is complete, the user takes his catalytic converter to the dealer offering him the highest price for his device. The dealer collects such devices from hundreds of users spread over a region. When a threshold number of devices have been collected, the dealer takes them to a recycling company, to whom he sells them. The recycling company then sells the scrap metal to suitable agencies, and processes the honeycomb structure for extracting platinum. When this platinum is extracted, it is then sold to catalytic converter manufacturers. In this way, it is ensured that pollution is controlled at every step in the value chain of this device. Air pollution is reduced in this way, and recycling is successfully implemented, making this planet a greener place to be. To know more interesting facts about foil converter processing, visit Globalrefininggroup.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom Blake is an expert in recycling catalytic converters who also likes to write many interesting articles and blogs, helping people in understanding the process and the many advantages that stem from it. In the US, he recommends Globalrefininggroup.com as the most trusted specialist for this job.