COMMISSION ON ISOTOPE SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS AS TRACEABLE
REFERENCES (II.4)
Number: 240/7/95
Title: Automobile Catalysts
Series: International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP-11)
Coordinator(s): P.
De Bièvre and P.Taylor
Remarks: EU
Completion Date: 1999 - Project Completed
Objective:
The catalytic automobile exhaust converter has become
a ubiquitous, if expensive, feature of automobiles in the western
nations. The expense of the catalyst is an issue as auto manufacturers
strive to keep costs to the consumer down. Environmentalists also
have concerns as the number of catalysts in operation rises dramatically,
raising concerns about health and environmental effects. The IMEP
-11 on Auto Catalysts will allow laboratories to achieve a degree
of accuracy and traceability not presently available. The catalysts
in the USA and Europe are physically different. Thus the present study,
focussed on European catalysts, does not repeat prior efforts by NIST
in the USA. As the issues involve more than a single interest, it
is unlikely that another organization would emerge to organize a similar
study.
Progress:
Project Completed
Two elements were certified (Pt, Zr) and two elements (Rh, Ce) were
assigned by the certifying laboratories. The participants programme
was completed in 1999. A participants report was issued in 1999 by
IRMM (A. Held, et al., April 1999, EUR 18735 EN). Additional
publications are in preparation.
Last update: 26 April 2001