The effect of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) based metallic catalytic converter on the four-stroke motorcycle engine performance

Many environmentally friendly automotive technologies have been developed to support the blue sky program. Among the several innovations, metallic catalytic converter (MCC) technology used in environmentally friendly motorcycle exhausts system with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the innovations available to reduce the rise in air pollution due to exhaust emissions. In terms of reducing exhaust emissions, this technology certainly does not doubt its ability. But the problem is that not many researchers have examined the effect of the application of these technologies on engine performance. Thus, the high aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the use of TiO₂ based MCC on the four-stroke motorcycle engine performance. This type of experimental research uses a Yamaha Vixion motorcycle as an object of research. Engine performance testing is performed based on SAE J1349, namely Engine Power Test Code-Spark Ignition and Compression Ignition-Net Power Rating. The equipment used in this study is the inertia of the chassis dynamometer, digital tachometer, digital thermometer, humidity meter, and blower. The independent variables in this study are the standard muffler and modified muffler with TiO₂ based MCC. The control variables are engine speed, engine oil temperature, ambient air temperature and humidity, and Pertamax fuel, while the dependent variable is engine performance (torque, power, and fuel consumption). Data analysis techniques using quantitative descriptive methods. This study found that the use of environmentally friendly motorcycle mufflers with TiO₂ based MCC technology could increase the torque of the Yamaha Vixion motorcycles. In line with these results, vehicle power also increases, and fuel consumption is relatively economical if the TiO₂-based MCC is compared to standard exhaust. (paper)