One kg of C2H6 is burned with 90% theoretical air.

Assuming complete combustion of H2 in the

fuel, determine the volumetric analysis of the dry products of combustion.
Solution,
The complete combustion equation of C2H6 is,
C2H6 + 3.5 O2

2CO2 + 3H2O

As the combustion is with insufficient quantity of air, CO will be a product in addition to

CO2 and H2O.
Combustion equation with 90% theoretical air is,





C2H6 + (0.9) (3.5) O2 + (0.9) (3.5){  N2

aCO2 + bCO + 3H2O + (0.9) (3.5){  N2

By balancing carbon atoms on both sides, we get,

2=a+b
ie, b=2-a
By balancing oxygen atoms, we get,
(0.9) (3.5)(2)=2a+b+3
Substituting the value of b from the previous equation,
(0.9) (3.5)(2)=2a+(2-a)+3
6.3=a+5
Therefore, a=1.3 and b=0.7
Substituting the value of a and b in the combustion equation,





C2H6 + (0.9) (3.5) O2 + (0.9) (3.5){  N2

1.3CO2 + 0.7CO + 3H2O + (0.9) (3.5){  N2



Total number of moles of dry products of combustion = 1.3+0.7+(0.9) (3.5){ 

= 1.3+0.7+11.85
= 13.85 mole/mole of fuel
Volumetric analysis of dry products of combustion is,
.

CO2 = . x100=9.38%

.

CO = . x100=5.05%
.

N2 = . x100=85.56%
Hence, the volumetric analysis of the dry products is,
CO2 = 9.38%, CO = 5.05% and N2 = 85.56%
Note: In this problem, H2O is not considered for calculating the volumetric analysis
because; the problem indicates that you have to do volumetric analysis for dry products. H2O is
assumed as wet.

If the problem is, calculate for the products of combustion, and then you have to
consider H2O. Then, the volumetric analysis will be,




Total number of moles of products of combustion = 1.3+0.7+3+(0.9) (3.5){ 

= 1.3+0.7+3+11.85
= 16.85 mole/mole of fuel
Volumetric analysis of dry products of combustion is,
.

CO2 = . x100=7.71%

.

CO = . x100=4.15%


H2O = . x100=17.8%
N2 =

.

x100=70.33%

.

Hence, the volumetric analysis of the dry products is,

CO2 = 7.71%, CO = 4.15%, H2O=17.8% and N2 = 70.33%
If the same problem is asked as gravimetric analysis instead of volumetric analysis, then,
from the combustion equation, you have to deviate to the usual mass (kg) based calculation.



(2x12+6x1) kg C2H6 + (0.9) (3.5) (2x16) kg O2 + (0.9) (3.5){ (2x14) kg N2



1.3 (12+2x16) kg CO2 + 0.7 (12+16) kg CO + 3 (2x1+16) kg H2O + (0.9) (3.5){  (2x14) N2
On simplifying,
(30) kg C2H6 + (100.8) kg O2 + (331.8) kg N2

(57.2) kg CO2 + (19.6) kg CO + (54) kg H2O + (331.8) N2

For, 1 kg of fuel, the above equation will be, ( both sides by 30)
1 kg C2H6 + 3.36 kg O2 + 11.06 kg N2

1.9 kg CO2 + 0.65 kg CO + 1.8 kg H2O + 11.06 N2

Thus for 1 kg of fuel, the products will consist of,

CO2

= 1.9 kg

CO

= 0.65 kg

H 2O

= 1.8 kg

N2

= 11.06 kg

Total mass of products

= 15.41 kg

Therefore, mass fractions are,

.

CO2 =  . x100=12.32%

CO =  . x100=4.21%
.

H2O=  . x100=11.6%
.


N2 =  . x100=71.77%
Hence the gravimetric analysis of combustion is,
CO2 =12.32%, CO = 4.21%, H2O= 11.6% and N2 = 71.77%

Similarly, if the problem is based on any other fuel, combustion equation can be written suitably
and the problem can be solved.
For example,
If the problem is, One kg of C8H18 is burned with 80% theoretical air. Assuming complete
combustion of H2 in the fuel, determine the gravimetric analysis of the products of combustion.
Then, the combustion equation will be,





C8H18 + (0.8) (12.5) O2 + (0.8) (12.5){  N2

aCO2 + bCO + 9H2O + (0.8) (12.5){  N2

By balancing carbon atoms on both sides, we get,

8=a+b
ie, b=8-a
By balancing oxygen atoms, we get,
(0.8) (12.5)(2)=2a+b+9
Substituting the value of b from the previous equation,
(0.8) (12.5)(2)=2a+(8-a)+9
20=a+17
Therefore, a=3 and b=5
Substituting the value of a and b in the combustion equation,





C8H18 + (0.8) (12.5) O2 + (0.8) (12.5){  N2

3CO2 + 5CO + 9H2O + (0.8) (12.5){  N2

Now, you can proceed in the usual way as it is done for gravimetric analysis

One important point to note here,

Even a small reduction of oxygen for combustion results in more CO compared to CO2. This is the
reason why in SI engines CO is a serious problem as we operate SI engines closer (slightly lean or
rich) to stoichiometric always. In the case of CI engines, always we have excess air; hence CO
emission is not a serious issue in CI engines.
Instead of 80% of air, if you make it as 90%, then the equation of combustion will be,





C8H18 + (0.9) (12.5) O2 + (0.9) (12.5){  N2

aCO2 + bCO + 9H2O + (0.9) (12.5){  N2

By balancing carbon atoms on both sides, we get,

8=a+b
ie, b=8-a
By balancing oxygen atoms, we get,
(0.9) (12.5)(2)=2a+b+9
Substituting the value of b from the previous equation,
(0.9) (12.5)(2)=2a+(8-a)+9
22.5=a+17
Therefore, a=5.5 and b=2.5
On the same lines prepare for other fuels also.