Combustion (MEP311)

Combustion (MEP311)

Tutorial (1)
Sheet (1): Introduction and Stoichiometry of Combustion

Ashraf Mostafa Hamed

Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Power Engineering – Ain Shams University
ashraf.mostafa@eng.asu.edu.eg
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)

Problem (1) of Sheet (1)

(1) Calculate the theoretical air/fuel ratio for combustion of

both gasoline (C8H18) and Diesel fuel (C16H34).

2
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (1) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel C8H18 with air (Stoichiometric conditions : chemically correct)
1𝐶𝐶8 𝐻𝐻18 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 8 Note:
Gasoline  Octane C8H18 is used for Spark
H: B = 18/2 = 9 ignition engine (Gasoline engine)

O: 2 x = 2 A + B x = 12.5

Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)
= = 15.06
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
1 × (8 × 12 + 18 × 1)

Note:
A/F ratio is a mass ratio [kg-air/kg-fuel] 3
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (1) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel C16H34 with air (Stoichiometric conditions : chemically correct)
1𝐶𝐶16 𝐻𝐻34 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 16 Note:
Diesel fuel  Cetane C16H34 is used for
H: B = 34/2 = 17 Compression ignition engine (Diesel engine)

O: 2 x = 2 A + B x = 24.5

Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)
= = 14. 882
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
1 × (16 × 12 + 34 × 1)

4
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Problem (2) of Sheet (1)

(2) A car engine uses natural gas CH4 as a fuel. Calculate

the air/fuel ratio required for complete combustion.

5
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (2) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel CH4 with air (Complete combustion)
1𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance: Note:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 1 Natural Gas contains:
(93.3 % CH4+3.6 % C2H6 +1.2 % C3H8)
H: B = 4/2 = 2
Note
Complete combustion may be stoichiometric
O: 2 x = 2 A + B x=2
or lean (poor) mixture combustions.
 no CO in products
Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 17.166
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
1 × (1 × 12 + 4 × 1)
6
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Problem (3) of Sheet (1)

(3) An industrial boiler is fired with natural gas (CH4) and

operates with an oxygen concentration of 3 mole percent in
the dry flue gases. Determine the operating air/fuel ratio,
the excess air factor and the equivalence ratio.

7
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (3) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel CH4 with air (Actual combustion  Lean: Excess of Air)
1𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑁𝑁2 + 𝑧𝑧 𝑂𝑂2
Atomic Balance: Note:
Lean (Poor) mixture (excess of air)  is found in
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 1 most of industrial applications  Diesel engine,
H: B = 4/2 = 2 Industrial furnaces, gas turbine combustors, boiler
combustors  to ensure complete combustion of
O: 2 x = 2 A + B + 2z 2 x = 2 (1) + 2 + 2z fuel  No pollution and high combustion efficiency

3 𝑧𝑧 𝑧𝑧
𝑂𝑂2 %: = 0.03 =
100 𝑧𝑧 + 𝐴𝐴 + 3.76𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑧𝑧 + 1 + 3.76𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
By Solving these equation:
x = 2.267 z = 0.267

Actual operating Air-to-fuel ratio 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 19.45
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
1 × (1 × 12 + 4 × 1) 8
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (3) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel CH4 with air (Stoichiometric combustion)
1𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 1

H: B = 4/2 = 2

O: 2 x = 2 A + B x=2

Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 17.166
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
1 × (1 × 12 + 4 × 1)
9
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (3) of Sheet (1)
Excess Air Factor, α
𝐴𝐴
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 19.45
𝛼𝛼 = = = 1.133
𝐴𝐴 17.116
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 Note:
For Lean mixture combustion (excess of air):
Equivalence Ratio (Mixture Strength), 𝜑𝜑 • α>1
𝐴𝐴 𝐹𝐹 • 𝜑𝜑 < 1
1 𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝐴𝐴 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1 • Percent of Theatrical Air > 100%
𝜑𝜑 = = = = = 0.88 • Percent of Excess Air > 0% (+ve)
𝛼𝛼 𝐴𝐴 𝐹𝐹 1.133
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝐴𝐴 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
Percent of Theoretical Air
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑇𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝛼𝛼 × 100 % = 1.133 × 100% = 113.3 % 𝑇𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

Percent of Excess Air

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝛼𝛼 − 1 × 100 % = 1.133 − 1 × 100 = 13.3% 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
10
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Problem (4) of Sheet (1)

(4) A domestic stove is switched from burning liquefied

petroleum gas (L.P.G.) (whose volumetric composition is
60% Butane [C4H10] and 40% Propane [C3H8]) into burning
natural gas [CH4]. Indicate the direction of change in the
air opening that is needed to fulfill such switch.

11
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (4) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel LPG with air (Stoichiometric combustion)
0.6𝐶𝐶4 𝐻𝐻10 + 0.4𝐶𝐶3 𝐻𝐻8 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance: Note:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 0.6(4) + 0.4(3) A = 3.6 L.P.G.: Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(60% C4H10 + 40%C3H8)
H: 2B = 0.6(10) + 0.4(8) B = 4.6 by volume (by mole)

Note:
O: 2 x = 2 A + B x = 5.9
From gas mixture laws
Volume ratio = mole ratio
Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 15.457
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
0.6 × 4 × 12 + 10 × 1 + 0.4 × 3 × 12 + 8 × 1
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Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (4) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 1 kmole fuel CH4 with air (Stoichiometric combustion)
1𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 1
H: B = 4/2 = 2 Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

O: 2 x = 2 A + B 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

x=2 = = 17.166
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
1 × (1 × 12 + 4 × 1)

• Switching takes place from liquefied petroleum gas LPG to natural gas CH4
• As we fix the same fuel flow rate with both fuels for comparison, the ratio of the Stoichiometric air required for 1 kg of
each is thus equal to 17.15/15.45=1.11
• Therefore, the opening should increase to allow the air to increase to 1.11 times the air which was used for liquefied
petroleum gas.
13
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Problem (5) of Sheet (1)
(5) A metal casting furnace operates on combustion of liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) (60% Butane C4H10 and 40% Propane C3H8 on
the volumetric basis) with air. The volumetric analysis of the
combustion products on a dry basis yields the composition shown.
Gas CO2 CO O2 N2
% 7.8 1.1 8.2 82.9

Determine the percent of the theoretical air and the

equivalence ratio associated with the combustion process.

14
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (5) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 100 kmole fuel LPG with air (Actual combustion) to produce A kmoles dry products
60𝐶𝐶4 𝐻𝐻10 + 40𝐶𝐶3 𝐻𝐻8 + 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 7.8𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 1.1𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 8.2 𝑂𝑂2 + 82.9𝑁𝑁2 + 𝐷𝐷 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂

Atomic Balance: Gas CO2 CO O2 N2

% 7.8 1.1 8.2 82.9
𝐶𝐶: 60 4 + 40 3 = 𝐴𝐴(7.8 + 1.1) A = 40.45
Note:
H: 60(10) + 40(8) = 2 D D = 460 • In writing combustion equation, we are
allowed to assume only one assumption
O: 2 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = A (7.8 × 2 + 1.1 + 8.2 × 2) + D 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 899.44 either number of moles of fuel, or air or
products
• If we assume number of mole of fuel,
Actual Air-to-fuel ratio therefore number of moles of products
will be unknown, and vise versa.

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 23.564
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
60 × 4 × 12 + 10 × 1 + 40 × 3 × 12 + 8 × 1
15
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (5) of Sheet (1)
Combustion of 100 kmole fuel LPG with air (Stoichiometric combustion)
60𝐶𝐶4 𝐻𝐻10 + 40𝐶𝐶3 𝐻𝐻8 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 + 3.76 𝑥𝑥 𝑁𝑁2
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 60(4) + 40(3) A = 360

H: 2B = 60(10) + 40(8) B = 460

O: 2 x = 2 A + B x = 590

Stoichiometric Air-to-fuel ratio

𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28)

= = 15.457
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ
60 × 4 × 12 + 10 × 1 + 40 × 3 × 12 + 8 × 1
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Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (5) of Sheet (1)
Excess Air Factor, α Note:
𝐴𝐴 Lean (Poor) mixture (excess of air)  is found in most of
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 23.56 industrial applications  Diesel engine, Industrial furnaces, gas
𝛼𝛼 = = = 1.524 turbine combustors, boiler combustors  to ensure complete
𝐴𝐴 15.457
𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 combustion of fuel  No pollution and high combustion efficiency
Equivalence Ratio (Mixture Strength), 𝜑𝜑 Note:
𝐴𝐴 𝐹𝐹 For Lean mixture combustion (excess of air):
1 𝐹𝐹 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝐴𝐴 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 1 • α>1
𝜑𝜑 = = = = = 0.656
𝛼𝛼 𝐴𝐴 𝐹𝐹 1.524 • 𝜑𝜑 < 1
𝐹𝐹 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝐴𝐴 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 • Percent of Theatrical Air > 100%
• Percent of Excess Air > 0% (+ve)
Percent of Theoretical Air
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑇𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝛼𝛼 × 100 % = 1.524 × 100% = 152.4 % 𝑇𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

Percent of Excess Air

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝛼𝛼 − 1 × 100 % = 1.524 − 1 × 100 = 52.4% 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
17
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Problem (6) of Sheet (1)
(6) A petroleum natural gas flare employs combustion of the natural gas with the
surrounding air. The volumetric analysis of exhaust gases on a dry basis was obtained at
a certain operating moment as follows:
Gas CO2 O2 N2
Mole Percent 8 6.7 85.3
After a period of time, the gas flare received a higher gas flow rate which kept the flame
stable within the surrounding atmosphere. The dry basis volumetric analysis of the
combustion products in this case was found to be as shown below:
Gas CO2 CO N2
Mole Percent 10.2 2 87.8
If the supply rate of the air involved in combustion for both cases is considered to be the
same, what is the percent change in the natural gas flow rate?
18
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (6) of Sheet (1)
Case (1): Gas CO2 O2 N2
Mole Percent 8 6.7 85.3
Combustion of A kmole fuel CH4 with air (Actual combustion) to produce 100 kmol dry exhaust gas
𝐴𝐴 𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 8 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 6.7 𝑂𝑂2 + 85.3 𝑁𝑁2 + 𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂
Atomic Balance:

𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴 = 8

H: 2 B = 4 A B = 16

O: 2 x = 2 (8) + 2 (6.7) + B x = 22.7

Actual Air-to-fuel ratio in case-1
𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 (32 + 3.76 × 28) 𝐹𝐹 1
= = 24.34 = = 0.04108
𝐹𝐹 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐1
𝐴𝐴 × (16) 𝐴𝐴 24.34
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐1
19
Tutorial (1): Sheet (1) Introduction and
Stoichiometry of Combustion Combustion (MEP311)
Solution of Problem (6) of Sheet (1)
Case (2): Gas CO2 CO N2
Mole Percent 10.2 2 87.8
Combustion of A’ kmole fuel CH4 with air (Actual combustion) to produce 100 kmol dry exhaust gas
𝐴𝐴′ 𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻4 + 𝑥𝑥 ′ 𝑂𝑂2 + 3.76 𝑁𝑁2 → 10.2 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂2 + 2 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 + 87.8 𝑁𝑁2 + 𝐵𝐵′ 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂
Atomic Balance:
𝐶𝐶: 𝐴𝐴′ = 10.2 + 2 𝐴𝐴′ = 12.2
H: 2 B’ = 4 A ‘ B’ = 24.4
O: 2 x’ = 2 (10.2) + 2 + B x' = 23.4
Actual Air-to-fuel ratio in case-2 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥′ (32 + 3.76 × 28) 𝐹𝐹 1
= = 16.46 = = 0.06075
𝐹𝐹 𝐴𝐴′ × (16) 𝐴𝐴 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐2
16.46
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐2

The percent change in the natural gas flow rate (𝐹𝐹 ⁄𝐴𝐴)𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐2 0.06075 24.43
𝐶𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = = = = 1.479
There is a relative increase in fuel flow rate by 47.9% (𝐹𝐹 ⁄𝐴𝐴)𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐1 0.04108 16.46
20