Phosphorus Poisoning Of Diesel Catalysts
Diesel and other fuels are composed of Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or ZDDP which is found as a coating in the interior parts of an engine and performs the function of an antioxidant in the fuel. Care is taken that minimum fuel escapes the engine. However, a little quantity of fuel is lost via the exhaust system and combustion chamber. |
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The ZDDP added in engine oil harms the catalytic converters of the fuel. The reason is that phosphorus from ZDDP affects the working of the catalysts. The phosphorus coats itself on aluminum oxide and cerium oxide and remains there since it cannot be removed. This phenomenon is referred to as phosphorous poisoning.
To avoid this from happening, experiments are being conducted to reduce ZDDP in engines or to remove it altogether. Since anti-wear coat is an important element in engines, different compounds are being searched as alternatives to ZDDP. But these are very expensive alternatives. Also, if the amount of ZDDP is minimized, wear of engine and oxidation of oil will increase. As a result, the life of the engine and durability of oil will go down.
An alternative, suggested design of the engine involves not placing the phosphorus trap above the catalytic converter. A volume is chosen for the converter that gives adequate conversion capacity. The volume of this converter can be reduced. The advantage is that the catalytic converter is protected by the phosphorous trap from phosphorus poisoning. However, this design for a fuel engine is still being experimented upon to give the best possible results.
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It’s an ongoing debate on which is better, a diesel car or a petrol car. The truth is that both are performance packed with efficient engines and pollute! Yes, even diesel engine produces toxic carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases just like its petrol counter part does. 
