Combustion Equation
Combustion equation for hydrogen:
2 H 2+O 2→ 2 H 2 O
1. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form steam or water.
2. Two molecules of H2 reacts with one molecule of O2.
In Volume,
2 vol . of H 2+1 vol . of O 2 →2 vol . of H 2 o
By Mass,
2 × ( 2 ×1 ) + ( 2× 16 ) →2 × ( (2 ×1 ) +16 )
4 Kg H 2+32 Kg O 2→ 36 Kg H 2O
3 volume in reactant + 2 volume in product shows volumetric contraction in combustion
O2 accompanied by nitrogen for atmospheric air,
Hence equation can be written as, N2 as Inert Gas
79 79
2 H 2+O 2+ N 2→ 2 H 2 O+ N 2
21 21
By mass,
79
4Kg H2 + 32Kg O2 + 28 N2 → 36Kg O2 + 105.3 Kg N2
21
For,
1
H2 + O2 → H2O
2
By mass,
2KG H2 + 16Kg O2 → 18 Kg H20
By volume,
1
1 vol of H2 + vol of O2 → 1 vol of H2O
2
With Nitrogen,
1 79 79
H2 + O2 + N 2 → 2H2O + N2
2 21 21
Combustion Equations
1. To complete combustion of Carbon to Carbon dioxide:
C +O2→CO 2
And including
79 79
C +O2+ N 2→CO 2+ N 2
21 21
79
As with 1kmol of oxygen there are kmol of nitrogen
21
Considering volumes of reactants and products
79 79
O volume + 1 volume O 2 + Volume N 2 → 1 volume CO 2 + Volume N 2
21 21
By mass,
79
12kg C + 32 kg O2 + 28 kg N 2(reactant) → 44kgCO 2 + 105.3 kg N 2 (product)
21
2. For incomplete combustion:
2 C+O 2→ 2 CO
With N2
79 79
2 C+O 2+ N 2 → 2CO + N 2
21 21
By mass,
79
24 Kg C+32 KgO 2+ N 2(reactants)→ 56 KgCO +105.3 Kg N 2( products)
21
If further supply of O2 is available combustion can come to completion
79 79
2 CO+O 2+ N 2 → 2CO 2+ N 2
21 21
By mass ,
56 kg CO +32 Kg O 2+ 105.3 Kg N 2 ( reactants ) → 88 Kg CO 2+105.3 Kg N 2 ( products )
Calculations for Stiochiometric A/F Ratio:
We take a sample of dry anthracite has the following composition by mass:
Anthracite(type of Coal):
C=90%, H=3%, O=2.5%, N=1%, S=0.5%, Ash=3%
Firstly, each constituent is taken separately and the amount of oxygen is found from relevant
chemical equation.
Carbon:
C+ O2 →CO 2
By mass:
12 kg C+32 kg O 2 → 44 kg CO 2
44
Oxygen Required=0.9 × ( mass of 1 carbon ) =2.4 kg of coal
12
Hydrogen :
H2 + 1/2 O2 → H2O (1)
General equation :
2kgH2 + 16O2 → 18kgH2O
For our equation no. (1)
1kgH2 + 8kgO2 → 9kgH2O
Oxygen required = 0.03 x 16/2
= 0.24kg/kg coal
Sulphur :
S + O2 → SO2
Our mass equation ;
1kgS + 1kgO2 → 2kgSO2
General equation ;
32kgS + 32kgO2 → 64kgSO2
Oxygen required = 0.005 x 1/1
=0.0005kg/kgcoal
Constituent Mass Fraction Oxygen Product mass
required(kj/kg)coal (kj/kg)coal
Carbon(C) 0.900 2.40 3.30(Co2)
Hydrogen(H) 0.030 0.240 0.27(H2O)
Sulphur(S) 0.005 0.005 0.01(SO2)
Oxygen(O) 0.025 0.025
Nitrogen(N) 0.010 0.01(N2)
Ash 0.030
Total 2.620
O2 required per kg at coal = 2.62kg
2.62
Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio = =11.245 kg
0.233
Stoichiometric A/F ratio = 11.245 kg
For Actual A/F ratio:
We take O2 20% excess air:
Using percentage excess air formula:
A
acutal −StoichiometricA / f
F
%excess air=
StoichiometricA / f
% excess of air x stoichiometric air/fuel ratio + stoichiometric air/fuel = Actual air/fuel ratio
11.245 + (20/100 x 11.245) = Actual air/fuel ratio
Actual A/F ratio = 13.494
To find mixture strength:-
Mixture strength = stoichiometric A/F/ Actual A/F ratio
Mixture strength = 11.245 / 13.494
Mixture strength = 0.833
Mixture strength = 0.833 x 100
Mixture strength = 83.3%
Working valve ranges between 80% (weak) and 120% (rich)