Combustion

1) Combustion is a process in which oxygen from the air reacts with the elements or
compounds to liberated heat
2) Sometimes it is required to calculate the minimum amount of oxygen that will be
required for complete combustion of nay compound
3) Commonly involved reactions are as follows
1. C + O2
CO2
2. 2H2 + 02
2H2O
3. S + 02
SO2
4. 2CO + O2
2CO2
5. CH4 + 2O2
CO2 + 2H2O
6. 2C2H6 + 7O2
4CO2 + 6H2O
7. C2H4 + 302
2CO2 +2H2O
8. 2C2H2 +502
4CO2 + 2H2O
9. C4H8 + 602
4CO2 + 4H2O
10. 2C4H10 +13O2
8CO2 + 10H2O
11. 2C3H6 + 9O2
6CO2 + 6H2O
12. C3H8 + 5O2
3CO2 + 4H2O
Calculation of quantity of fuel required for combustion of fuel
By weight and volume
1) Any substance combines with oxygen in definite proportions as per mole concept.
C + O2
By weight 12
32
By volume 1 Vol 1 Vol
2H2 + O2
By weight 4
By volume 2 Vol
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

CO2
44
1 Vol

32
1 Vol

2H2O
36
2 Vol

Nitrogen, ash and CO2 are non combustible

At STP 1 gram mole =22.4 L of gas
Air contains 21% oxygen by volume and 23% oxygen by mass
Molar mass of air is taken as 28.94 gram/ mole
Oxygen required = Theoretical O2 required - O2 already present
When % of elements is given then calculate O 2 quantity as follows
O2 quantity =

32 C
0
+8 H + s
kg
12
8

Quantity of air =

Volume of air =

oxygen quantity
x100kg.
23
Volume of oxygen
21

x 100m3