Alkanes as Fuels

Cards (27)

  • What are alkanes primarily found in?
    Fossil fuels
  • Why are alkanes considered great fuels?
    They release a large amount of energy
  • In what systems are alkanes commonly burnt?
    Power stations and car engines
  • What is produced during complete combustion of alkanes?
    Carbon dioxide and water
  • What is the equation for the complete combustion of propane?
    C₃H₈(g) + 5O₂(g) → 3CO₂(g) + 4H₂O(g)
  • What happens during incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons?
    Produces soot and carbon monoxide
  • What is the equation for the incomplete combustion of propane?
    C₃H₈(g) + 3½O₂(g) → 3CO(g) + 4H₂O(g)
  • Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
    It binds to haemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport
  • How can carbon monoxide be removed from exhaust gases?
    Using catalytic converters
  • What are the main pollutants from vehicle exhausts?
    Nitrogen oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide
  • What is the general formula for nitrogen oxides?
    NOₓ
  • How is nitrogen monoxide produced in car engines?
    From high pressure and temperature reactions
  • What is the reaction to produce nitrogen dioxide from nitrogen monoxide?
    2NO(g) + O₂(g) → 2NO₂(g)
  • What is ground-level ozone and how is it formed?
    It forms from unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides
  • What are the effects of ground-level ozone on health?
    It irritates eyes and aggravates respiratory issues
  • What is the process that converts sulfur into sulfur dioxide when fossil fuels are burnt?
    Combustion of sulfur in fossil fuels
  • What is produced when sulfur dioxide dissolves in moisture?
    Sulfuric acid
  • What is acid rain and what causes it?
    Rain containing sulfuric and nitric acids
  • What are the environmental impacts of acid rain?
    Destroys vegetation and corrodes buildings
  • How can sulfur dioxide be removed from power station flue gases?
    By reacting with alkaline slurry
  • What is the reaction that forms calcium sulfite from sulfur dioxide?
    CaO(s) + SO₂(g)CaSO₃(s)
  • What is the greenhouse effect?
    Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared energy
  • How does burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming?
    It increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
  • What are the main types of combustion of alkanes?
    • Complete combustion: Produces CO₂ and H₂O
    • Incomplete combustion: Produces CO, soot, and CO₂
  • What are the pollutants produced from burning fossil fuels?
    • Carbon monoxide
    • Nitrogen oxides
    • Unburnt hydrocarbons
    • Sulfur dioxide
  • What are the environmental effects of pollutants from combustion?
    • Ground-level ozone formation
    • Acid rain production
    • Health issues from pollutants
  • What is the role of catalytic converters in vehicles?
    • Remove pollutants from exhaust gases
    • Convert harmful gases into less harmful substances