Solutions to Combustion Tutorial Questions 8 and 9

ME 3221 Energy Conversion Processes

8. Methane combustion with 200% theoretical oxygen: CH4 + 4O2 = CO2 + 2H2O +O2
Dissociation reaction: CO2 CO +1/2 O2
For x kmols of CO2 dissociated under equilibrium conditions, the eqn is:
2 :1and mols1of product n = (5 + 0.5x) kmols
(1- x )CO2 + x CO +1/22H2O +
1/2(2 + 0.5x) O
2 x
y CO. y O p
p 2
x
2

p o
1
y CO p
1

5 x

2
The equilibrium constant is K =
or:

CH4 + 4O2

1 x

2
2
4x K K

.

o
1
10 x p/p

Applying the SFEE to the combustion process give: Hp HR = 0

(1-x) {hfo + h}CO2 + x{hfo + h}CO +2 {hfo + h}H2O + (2+ 1/2x){hfo + h}O2
= 1{hfo + h}CH4 + 4{hfo + h}O2
(1-x){-393 522 + hCO} + x{-110 529 + hCO}+ 2 {-241 827 + hH2O} + (2 +0.5x) hO2
= {-74873 + (~2257} + 4x3029 or

ME 3221 Energy Conversion Processes

Trial and error solution needed.
1. Assume T = 3200 K, from tables: ln K = 0.429, K = 1.53572 and K = 1/K (inverse
definition) = 0.6512
Substituting into x and K equilibrium equation and solving again by trail and error gives x
=0.4987
Substituting the values of x into the SFEE gives a value of = - 26219 on lhs
2. Assume T = 3400 K gives K = 1.1841
Substituting x and K equation and again using trial and error solution gives x = 0.6420
Substituting into SFEE equation gives a value of = + 63 416 on lhs
Hence correct T is in between ~ 3260 K so that x = 0.5410
Finally, the composition of products is: nCO2 = 0.459; nCO = 0.541; nH2O = 2; and nO2 = 2.27
3

ME 3221 Energy Conversion Processes

9. Tank volume constant V; P1 = 175 kPa, T1 = 25C; at state 2, T2 = 3200 K; yCO2 = 0.2
Combustion eqn: C + bO2
Dissociation eqn: CO2

b kmol O2

CO2 + (b 1) O2

1 kmol C

CO + O2

C + bO2

(1 x) CO2 + x CO + {(b 1) +1/2 x}O2 : products vol = 1-x + x + b-1 +0.5x

1 x
y CO2
Mol fraction of CO2 =0.2 =
1 : Giving b = 5 5.5x and hence volume of O2 = 4 4.5x
b
2
From tables: lnK = 0.429 and K = 1.53572 so that K = 1/K= 0.65116

y CO .y1/2
x
O2
K

y CO2
1 x

4 5x

5x

p2
o
p

1/2

0.65116

Before combustion, volume of reactants n1 *= b = 5 5.5x; (* volume of solid C small)

and after combustion, volume of products = b + 0.5x = 5 5x = n 2

Volume of vessel is constant:

n R T
2 o 2
V

P
2

n R T
1 o 1 ; P P n2
2
1 n
P
1

T
2

T

1

175 5 5x 3200

5 5.5x 298

ME 3221 Energy Conversion Processes

2

x 4 5x

x
5

5x

175
5 5x 3200
2

0.65116

3
5 5.5x 298 0.110

x 4 5x
or

0.022578
1

x
5

5.5x

Solving by trial and error gives x = 0.1455

Hence: b = 5 5.5x = 4.2 and P2 = 1910 kPa.