Application of nanocatalyst iron oxide (Fe2O3) to reduce exhaust emissions (CO and HC)

Abstract

Fe2O3 has been the interest of many studies due to its applications in various scientific and industrial fields including in environment, corrosion, soil science, and exhaust emissions. Fe2O3 is a chemical mixture that can be applied as a catalyst to reduce exhaust emissions because it is capable of binding CO and HC contained in motorcycle exhaust gases The growth of motor vehicles results in air pollution and an increase in exhaust emissions consisting of 70.50% CO and 18.34% HC. One effort to reduce exhaust emission levels is by applying a catalytic converter to the exhaust system. This research was an experimental research aiming to investigate the difference in emission level of CO and HC between a motorcycle with and without a catalytic converter. The types of fuel used were RON 88, RON 90, RON 92, and RON 98. The results showed that the application of Fe2O3 as a catalyst could reduce the level of CO significantly in RON 88, i.e. 91.43% CO, and the level of HC in RON 88 and RON 92, i.e. 53.27% and 91.07% HC respectively.