The quantity of precious metals that can be extracted through the processing of around 360 kg of rock and ore that is found in nature. It can be obtained by recycling one catalytic convertor that weighs around 1.5 kilograms.
Recycling costs are less expensive than production costs for ore. Environmental awareness could be raised due to the possibility of producing more while using less energy and less pollution while consuming less.
The amounts can vary from model to model. In general, the standard catalytic converter has 3-7 grams platinum, 2-7 grams palladium, and about 1-2 grams of Rhodium. This can yield significant gains when the scrapped catalytic converters are reclaimed.
How Much Does a Catalytic Converter Weigh in Pounds?
The weight of a catalytic converter is 7 pounds. An efficient de-canner is capable of de-canning close to 35 to 50 converters in an hour.
Types of the Catalytic Converter and Their Weight
- Small Breadloaf: 3-6 pounds
- Large Breadloaf: 5-9 pounds
- Small Foreign: 1-5 pounds
- Medium Foreign: 3- 7 pounds
- Bead Cats: 10-16 pounds
How Much Rhodium Is in a Catalytic Converter in Grams?
It is all dependent on the dimensions and model of the car. The typical amount of rhodium in the catalytic converter of a car is anywhere from three and four grams.
Some larger SUVs could contain as much as eight grams of Rhodium. That’s a large amount of precious metal that’s in your vehicle.
The amount of rhodium used in the catalytic converter is around 1 – 2 grams. The average weight of catalytic converters is approximately 1.2 kilograms or 2.2 pounds.
Examining the changes in the price of rhodium over the past 10 years, even though it has remained steady most times, its value has increased dramatically in the past two years. The current price of rhodium per gram is about $287.
Rhodium content found in our automobiles is not the same. Therefore, which answer is the best to ask this question depends on several elements, specifically the model and make of the car and the engine.
One car that has the same engine might be equipped with various converters that are specific to different countries.
Extracting Rhodium from Catalytic Converters
There are several ways to remove the rhodium out of your catalytic converter. One option is to employ the aqua regia, which involves using a combination of hydrochloric and nitric acid.
This technique is highly effective. But it can also be extremely dangerous because a bad catalytic converter can cause a lean condition.
Another method of removing the rhodium is by using electrolysis, which involves the passage of electrical electricity through the catalytic converter. It is also very effective. However, it takes more time than the aqua regia.
There is a way to extract rhodium out of the catalytic converter by yourself, but it isn’t recommended unless you possess the appropriate equipment and know-how.
The process can be extremely dangerous and may release dangerous chemicals into the air if not performed in a safe manner.
It’s more secure and less time-consuming to send the converter you have purchased to an experienced scrap-recovery service that is focused on removing metals.
They’ll have the equipment and experience to remove the rhodium safely without risking their own health as well as the natural environment.
Read Also: Can a Bad Catalytic Converter Cause Oil Burning?
Weight of Plutonium in the Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converters have three platinum group metals, such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium, and they can be extremely important. On average, 3 to 7 grams of platinum are contained in the standard catalytic converter; however, the amount depends on the manufacturer and model.
The worth of platinum metal is growing with time, as shown in the table. The value of its economy has never declined in the last 20 years.
Therefore, the value of Platinum is increasing each day. The current price for platinum per gram is about $31.
Depending on the condition and age of the vehicle, the PGMs found in catalytic converters could range between $100 and $1000 or even more. The latest and smaller models are more like $100.
