Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) Conversion Efficiency
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A TWC requires a stoichiometric fuel ratio, 14.7 pounds of air to 1 pound of fuel (14.7:1), for high conversion efficiency. In order to achieve these high efficiencies, the air/fuel ratio must be tightly controlled with a narrow window of stoichiometry. Deviations outside of this window will greatly decrease the conversion efficiency (Fig 1). For example a rich mixture will decrease the HC and CO conversion efficiency while a lean mixture will decreases the NO x conversion efficiency.