In a gasoline engine using a three-way catalytic converter, what is the product of NOx after the reduction stage?

In a gasoline engine using a three-way catalytic converter, what is the product of NOx after the reduction stage?

• A. Hydrogen and Oxygen
• B. Carbon and Oxygen
• C. Hydrogen and Nitrogen
• D. Nitrogen and Oxygen

Answer: (D)

In the reduction stage of a three-way catalytic converter, NOx is reduced to its simplest gaseous forms: nitrogen and oxygen. The NOx molecules lose their oxygen to be released as O2 while the nitrogen atoms pair up to form N2. A common way to view it is the stoichiometric reaction 2 NO → N2 + O2. The oxygen that is freed doesn’t linger as a separate product here; it’s typically consumed in the oxidation stage alongside CO and hydrocarbons to form CO2 and H2O. So the direct product of reducing NOx is nitrogen and oxygen.

In the reduction stage of a three-way catalytic converter, NOx is reduced to its simplest gaseous forms: nitrogen and oxygen. The NOx molecules lose their oxygen to be released as O2 while the nitrogen atoms pair up to form N2. A common way to view it is the stoichiometric reaction 2 NO → N2 + O2. The oxygen that is freed doesn’t linger as a separate product here; it’s typically consumed in the oxidation stage alongside CO and hydrocarbons to form CO2 and H2O. So the direct product of reducing NOx is nitrogen and oxygen.