Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels
A compound that contains hydrogen and carbon only.Material that is used to produce heat, like coal, oil or gas. can undergo complete combustion or incomplete combustion, depending on the amount of oxygen available.
Complete combustion
Burning in a plentiful supply of oxygen or air. Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon produces water vapour and carbon dioxide. of a hydrocarbon fuel happens when there is a good supply of air. Carbon and hydrogen atoms in the fuel react with oxygen in an Reaction in which energy is given out to the surroundings. The surroundings then have more energy than they started with so the temperature increases. reaction:
- A gaseous compound of carbon and oxygen, which is a by-product of respiration, and which is needed by plants for photosynthesis. and water are produced
- the maximum amount of The capacity of a system to do work or the quantity required for mechanical work to take place. Measured in joules (J). For example, a man transfers 100 J of energy when moving a wheelbarrow. is given out
In general:
Hydrocarbon + oxygen 鈫 carbon dioxide + water
Here are the equations for the complete combustion of propane, used in bottled gas:
Propane + oxygen 鈫 carbon dioxide + water
C3H8 + 5O2 鈫 3CO2 + 4H2O
Question
Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of methane, CH4, found in natural gas.
CH4 + 2O2 鈫 CO2 + 2H2O
Incomplete combustion
Burning when there is a limited supply of air or oxygen. happens when the supply of air or oxygen is poor. Water is still produced, but Poisonous gas produced during incomplete combustion. and carbon are also produced. Less energy is released than during complete combustion.
For example, here is one possible equation for the incomplete combustion of propane:
Propane + oxygen 鈫 carbon monoxide + carbon + water
C3H8 + 3O2 鈫 2CO + C + 4H2O
Notice that fewer oxygen molecules are needed to balance the equation than are needed for the complete combustion of propane.
Soot
The carbon is released as fine black A general term for a small piece of matter. For example, protons, neutrons, electrons, atoms, ions or molecules.. We see this in smoky flames and it is deposited as The fine black particles, chiefly composed of carbon, produced by incomplete combustion of coal, oil, wood, or other fuels.. Soot can cause breathing problems and it blackens buildings. It may block boilers and other appliances, or cause a fire.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a Poisonous. gas. It is absorbed in the lungs and binds with the The red protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen round the body. in the The blood cell which contains the pigment haemoglobin responsible for the transport of oxygen.. This reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness, and affected people may fall unconscious or even die.