Department: Mechanical Engineering

Applied Chemistry
Assignment No. 1

Topic: HCs Fuels

Hydrocarbons: -

A hydrocarbon is an organic chemical compound composed exclusively of hydrogen and

carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are naturally-occurring compounds and form the basis of

crude oil, natural gas, coal, and other important energy sources.

Hydrocarbons are highly combustible and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat

when they are burned. Therefore, hydrocarbons are highly effective as a source of fuel.
Hydrocarbons are highly combustible and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat

when they are burned. Therefore, hydrocarbons are highly effective as a source of fuel.

Hydrocarbons as fuels: -

The vast majority of hydrocarbons found on Earth occur in petroleum, coal, and natural

gas. Petroleum (literally "rock oil" – petrol for short) and coal are generally thought to

be products of decomposition of organic matter. Hydrocarbons are currently the main

source of the world's electric energy and heat sources (such as home heating) because

of the energy produced when they are combusted. Often this energy is used directly as

heat such as in home-heaters, which use either petroleum or natural gas. The

hydrocarbon is burnt and the heat is used to heat water, which is then circulated. A

similar principle is used to create electrical energy in power plants.

Classification of fuels: -

Solid fuels

Solid fuel refers to various forms of solid Hydrocarbons that can be burnt to release

energy, providing heat and light through the process of combustion. Solid fuels can be

contrasted with liquid fuels and gaseous fuels. Common examples of solid fuels include

Coal, Peat, Kerogen and other similar materials

Solid fuel advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

(i) Easy to transport (iii) Cost of production is low

(ii) Convenient to store (iv) Moderate ignition temperature.

Disadvantages

(i) Ash content is high

(ii) Thermal efficiency is low

(iii) Burns with clinker formation

(iv) Cannot be controlled easily

(vi) Calorific value is lower (v) Cost of handling is high

Liquid Fuels

Liquid fuels are combustible or energy-generating molecules that can be harnessed to

create mechanical energy, usually producing kinetic energy; they also must take the

shape of their container. Examples include: -

Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene, Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) etc.

Liquid fuels advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

(i) Higher calorific value

(ii) No dust or ash formed

(iii) Firing is easier and extinguished easily by stopping the supply

(iv) Easy to transport

(v) Can be stored indefinitely

(viii) No wear and tear (ix) Used in internal combustion engine as fuel.

Disadvantages

(i) Cost is higher

(ii) Storage is expensive

(iii) Greater risk of fire hazards

Synthesis of hydrocarbon fuels: -

1. Fischer-Tropsch Process

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis converts natural gas-, coal- and biomass-derived

synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbon fuels. These reactions occur in the presence of

metal catalysts, typically at temperatures of 150–300 °C (302–572 °F) and pressures

of one to several tens of atmospheres. The process was first developed by Franz
Fischer and Hans Tropsch at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Kohlenforschung in

Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, in 1925.

Optimum conditions: -

Feed stock – Water gas + H2

Catalyst – Cobalt (100 parts)

Magnesia (8 parts)

Thoria (5 parts)

Temperature – 250o C

Pressure – 5 – 10 atm

It involves two steps

1. Production of synthesis gas. 2. Hydrogenation of synthesis gas

Production of Synthesis Gas

C + H2O (g) → [CO + H2]

(Water gas)

[CO + H2] + H2 → [CO + 2H2]

(Water gass) (Synthesis gas)

Hydrogenation of Synthesis Gas

n{CO + (2n + 1)H2} → CnH2n+2 + H2O
(Synthesis gas) (Alkanes)

Construction and Working

2. Bergius Process

The Bergius process is a simple process for converting brown coal completely into

crude oil in the presence of certain catalysts. The brown coal is known as lignite. The

initial catalyst for brown coal has been used as molybdenum oxide in low

concentration, along with sulfuric acid to partially neutralize the calcium humates in

the brown coal. Subsequently, iron, molybdenum, and tin have been used as

liquefaction catalysts in large‐scale plants. Iron remains the catalyst metal of choice
because of the cost and availability factors. Use of sulfur in the reaction systems of

the Bergius process has been found beneficial for increasing the efficiency of the

catalyst.

Process

Coal is finely ground and dried in a stream of hot gas.

The dry product is mixed with heavy oil recycled from the process. A catalyst is

typically added to the mixture.

A number of catalysts have been developed over the years, including tungsten or

molybdenum sulfides, tin or nickel oleate, and others.

The mixture is pumped into a reactor. The reaction occurs at between 400 and 500

°C and 20 to 70 MPa hydrogen pressure.

Products

The reaction produces heavy oils, middle oils, gasoline, and gases.

Reaction

nC + (n – x + 1)H2 → CnH2n – 2x + 2 (where x = Degree of unsaturation)

Construction and Working

Works Cited

Aftertutor, n.d. Bergius Process Youtube. [Online]

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUzpG1-rJLA
Anne, n.d. Brainly. [Online]
Available at: https://brainly.com/question/6900732
Austronautix, n.d. Solids. [Online]
Available at: http://www.astronautix.com/s/solid.html
Fernando, J., n.d. Investopedia. [Online]
Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hydrocarbon.asp
Khodakov, A., 2010. Scientific Bases for thr preperation Heterogenous
Catalyst. ScienceDirect .
Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016729911075
0369
Source, O., n.d. Fuel. [Online]
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel
Source, O., n.d. Hydrocarbon. [Online]
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbon
Vturesource, n.d. Fischer Tropsch process Youtube. [Online]
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I_UtU7zYs0