| Title | Case Study of the Innovation Process Characterizing the Development of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter System |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 49307 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Dexter, Daniel |
| Source | 52p. in various pagings |
| Corporate Creator | John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Publisher | United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Publication Date | 19791101 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | This report traces the development of the three-way catalytic converter system from its origins in automaker and chemical firm research in the 1950s, to present plans preparing the system to be the auto exhaust emission control device most widely used on American cars in the 1980s. Multiple forces led to the decision by major automakers in the late 1970s to adopt the system. Among these forces were tightening exhaust emissions regulations; the development of low-cost, mass-producible system components; and institutional factors including strong system advocates, internationalization of the auto industry, and the desire of certain technology-oriented automakers to defend their U.S. market shares by adoption of the system. The paper concludes that the three-way converter system may become the dominant auto exhaust emission control device for American-market cars in the 1980s if problems relating to adoption of the system to 6- and 8-cylinder engines, reduction in requirements for precious metals, and the development of secure sources of supply for those metals are resolved. |
| Rosap ID | dot:10766 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10766 |
| TRT Terms | Air quality management; Automobile industry; Motor vehicle industry; Case studies; Catalytic converters; Costs; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Regulations; Standards; Technology; Vehicle power plants |
| General Subjects | Cost analysis |
| Classification | AGR - IMPACTS - Environment; NTL - HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION - HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design; NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT; NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - Air Quality; NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - Environment Impacts |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Contract Number | DOT-TSC-1355 |
| Report Number | DOT-TSC-NHTSA-79-36; HS-804-791 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/49000/49300/49307/DOT-TSC-NHTSA-79-36.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |