Air composition based calculation

Air composition (apprx) = 80% N2 and 20% O2 (mol basis only)

Average molecular weight of Air = (0.8 x 28 + 0.2 x 32) = 29 g/mol (apprx)

Math Sample:
2kg pure charcoal (12C) is to be burnt completely with air. Find the air, CO2 and N2
amount in kg’s.
Solution:
C + O2 = CO2 (you must need a balanced equation)
Therefore from the mole ratio of the reaction we write,
C : O2 : CO2 = 1:1:1
and from air composition we got
O2 : N2 : Air = 1:4:5

Given, 2 kg C = 2000 g/ (12 g/mol) = 166.67 mole C

Therefore, similar mole of O2 required. So equivalent Air supposed to be 5 times
than the mole amount of O2 and released N2 will be 4 times than the required O2.

Therefore, Air amount = 5 x 166.67 moles

= 833.34 moles
= (833.33x29/1000) kg
= 24.17 kg air

Similarly N2 released amount will be = (166.67 x 4 x 28/1000) kg = 18.67 kg

Find CO2 amount by yourself! (Isn’t it 7.34 kg?)
Extended Question from the previous problem-
1. If the N2 amount is entirely used to produce ammonia gas, then how many
kg’s of H2 we require and how many Kg’s of ammonia gas will be
produced?
2. If we need to produce calcium carbonate from that release carbon dioxide
gas, how many kg’s of calcium oxide we need to purchase from market?
3. Critical thinking Question:
If we want to produce urea from the above mentioned system, how much
Urea we can theoretically produce?

Answers:
1. N2 +3H2 = 2NH3
NH3 produced = 3 x moles of N2 = 2x166.67 x 4 moles
= 2x166.67 x 4 x 17/1000 kg
= 22.67 kg
H2 required = 3 x moles of N2 = 3x166.67 x 4 moles
= 3x166.67 x 4 x 2/1000 kg
= 4 kg

2. CaO + CO2 = CaCO3

CaO : CO2 : C= 1 : 1 :1

CaO required = 166.67 x 56/1000 kg = 9.33 kg

3. From the reaction we see

 NH3 : CO2 = 2 : 1
= 1 : 0.5

NH3 we have = 2x166.67 x 4 moles = 1333.36 moles

CO2 We have = 166.67 moles

To react entire CO2 we need theoretically (2x166.67) moles of NH3

= 333.34 moles
So we have Excess NH3, therefore CO2 is the limiting reactant. So the production
of Urea will be according to CO2 amount

From the reaction CO2 : Urea = 1 : 1

So Urea amount in moles = 166.67 moles
= 166.67 x (60/1000) kg
= 10 kg Urea.