Does anybody know much about rad catalysts?

[Ghoste]

I was going through some old junk on my desk and I found a newspaper clipping from 1997 about a company that was trying to develop a catalyst that could be used to coat the radiators of cars and then as the vehicle was moving, it would paly a small role in in eliminating ground level ozone and consequent smog.  Apparently Ford was interested in it and it was being tested in LA.  The company developing it was Engelhard and they called it PremAir but it looks like it dies a stillborn death.  Anyone else know about it?

[dodgecharger-fan]

After a bit of googling and even less reading, it sounds like the premise is that merely having this stuff around depletes ozone. So, putting it on everyone's rad would create and army of ozone eaters.

Why on the rad? The heat exchange is a required part of the process.

I gather that the process itself is proven, but putting on car rads is what is proposed.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6699529/description.html

Looks like Nissan had plans to use it.
http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200021/000020002100A0665577.php

All the nitty gritty details from Engelhard are here:
http://www.catalysts.basf.com/Main/download.axd/507a4246f26d4e2fb69e8d0e52c45349.pdf?d=1999-01-3677

[Ghoste]

You had better Googling luck than I did.  It's an interesting idea. 

[dodgecharger-fan]

..and by less reading, I meant I only skimmed things. I mentioned it in case I got the drift of the whole wrong.
I wasn't being a smartass. 

It is interesting.

[Chad L. Magee]

Yes, I have know about them for a few years now, back when I was working on Pt2+/Pd2+ dioxo catalytic compounds.  Engelhard has a big R&D hand in developing catalytic systems, as they are a large precious metals supplier, so it is no big suprise that they are on the patent for them......

[Ghoste]

Do you think this rad one will ever come to pass?

[Chad L. Magee]

Hard to say, as there are factors that need to be considered in their use, but I tend to lean towards the yes side.  Enviromentalists would want them on the cars, unless they cause a potential pollution problem down the road (such as when the car becomes recycled).  I can see big support for it in congested states, as it can be marketed to fight smog gases, but alot less support for it in the midwestern areas.  If they use precious metals in the production of them, I see three downfalls that might happen: 1.) The cost to the buyer will go up a few hundred dollars (or more depending on the metals market) and 2.) Radiators with this type of coating will need to be protected from theft, as they become a target just like cat. converters are now (although it is harder to remove the radiator without being noticed).  Number two is a problem even if the coating actually contains only a few dollars worth of metal, as desparate people will do strange things for a buck or two.  A third potential problem could be worked out though:  If the coating is too thick, it could potentially restrict the airflow through the radiator, preventing it from doing its intended job, cooling the engine.  Makes me wander what they would do to the coating for use in an electric car setup.....

[Ghoste]

Well of course once we go fully electric the world will be perfect and mankind will see a great welcome back to the Garden of Eden (according to the greenies anyway).