Homework#1(RevB)

1. Fossil fuels are made up molecules that are primarily carbon & hydrogen with some additional
sulfur, oxygen, & other minor constituents. Consider a model molecule for a fossil fuel to have a
molecular formula of CnHmSxNyOz. Balance the combustion equation (i.e., find expressions for ,
, , , & in terms only of the variables n , m , x , y , & z ):

CnHmS xN y Oz + O2 CO2 + H2O SO2 NO2 .

How much CO2 is produced (in units of mass CO2 per mass fuel) from burning this molecule (in
terms of the variables n , m , x , y , & z ).

2. Illinois no. 6 coal has a mass distribution of elements as
shown in the following table. Using the daf column (i.e., dry
and ash free) & neglecting the amount of chlorine:
What are the appropriate values of m , x , y , & z if
we arbitrarily set n 100 .
How much CO2 is produced from burning this coal (in
units of kg CO2 per kg fuel)?

3. Using values from the spreadsheet "GPSAData_13ed.xlsx:
How much CO2 is produced from burning propane (in units of kg CO2 per kg propane)?
What are the HHV & LHV values for propane (in units of kJ/kg, ideal gas basis)?
How much CO2 is produced from burning propane (in units of kg CO2 per kJ propane ideal
gas LHV basis)?

4. Consider the complete combustion of methane with air (21/70 molar ratio of O2/N2, N2 as an
inert).
When using a stoichiometric amount of oxygen how much air is needed (in terms of moles
air per mole methane)? What is the molar composition of the product gas?
When using 20% excess oxygen how much air is needed (in terms of moles air per mole
methane)? What is the molar composition of the product gas?

CBEN 472 Spring 2015

January 9, 2015