Thermodynamics: Combustion

Name: Thermodynamics: Combustion
Author: KnowledgeCity

Learn the ins and outs of combustion in thermodynamics

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Course: On-Demand

Types of combustion. Combustion means burning. Three requirements must be met in order to achieve and sustain combustion: fuel, a source of heat, and oxygen. If any of the three are not present, fire will not start. An act of fire will stop even if one of the three elements is removed. Heat, light, and exhaust, such as smoke, are the most obvious results of combustion. Combustion can also be thought of as a chemical reaction where any fuel interacts with oxygen to produce heat energy. Combustion is referred to as an exothermic chemical reaction because it causes a net release of heat into the environment. Exo means external and thermic refers to heat. In daily life combustion is used routinely, like when we drive a car. In that case, we don't see sparks or flames because combustion is happening internally in the engine. Combustion is also used every day for heating homes, cooking food, and running factories. Three types of combustion are rapid combustion. Substances burn rapidly and produce a combustion of heat and light usually aided by a source of heat. A common campfire is a good example. Spontaneous combustion; substances burn spontaneously without the help of external heat. Phosphorus burns spontaneously at room temperature. Explosion; substances burn suddenly, sometimes violently producing heat and light and usually sound. Firecrackers are a good example of explosions. Because of the second law of thermodynamics, we know combustion does not occur with 100% efficiency. It will normally produce byproducts, some of which can be harmful. Some particulate matter, usually material from the fuel like charred wood after a campfire, may remain after combustion. Other byproducts can include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, water vapor, and hydrocarbons. Two types of combustion have been defined, depending on how efficiently a fire burns. Complete combustion produces only carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. Methane gas is a fuel that combusts completely. Burning a candle results in relatively clean combustion. Some minimal amount of smoke may be released, but water vapor and carbon dioxide are usually the only by products. Complete combustion is also called clean combustion. Incomplete combustion or dirty combustion releases other byproducts like carbon monoxide or carbon such as soot. Coal usually burns incompletely as well as other fossil fuels.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 5 Lessons · 14m in Arabic, English

Course Description

Thermodynamics has wide applications within the petroleum industry and is the branch of physics concerned with heat and temperature. Combustion is referred to as an exothermic chemical reaction because it causes a net release of heat into the environment. This course is designed to take your understanding of thermodynamics to the next level.

Thermodynamics governs what can happen in a chemical reaction. By applying the laws of thermodynamics, chemists can measure, predict, and control the heat and energy of chemical reactions to help solve problems like making cleaner-burning rocket fuels and more efficient engines. This course will cover types of combustion, stoichiometry, pyrolysis, fuels, and octane.

What You'll Learn

Identify the types of combustion
Compare and contrast two types of combustion
Define stoichiometry and explain its relation to combustion
Explain the chemical reaction of pyrolysis
Discuss fuels and octane levels

Key Takeaways

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics concerned with heat and temperature, and it has wide applications within the petroleum industry.
Combustion is an exothermic chemical reaction because it causes a net release of heat into the environment.
Thermodynamics governs what can happen in a chemical reaction, and its laws let chemists measure, predict, and control the heat and energy of chemical reactions.
Applying the laws of thermodynamics helps solve problems such as making cleaner-burning rocket fuels and more efficient engines.
The course covers types of combustion, stoichiometry, pyrolysis, fuels, and octane.

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does this course cover?

The course covers types of combustion, stoichiometry, pyrolysis, fuels, and octane.

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

You will be able to identify the types of combustion, compare and contrast two types of combustion, define stoichiometry and its relation to combustion, explain the chemical reaction of pyrolysis, and discuss fuels and octane levels.

Why is combustion described as an exothermic reaction?

Combustion is referred to as an exothermic chemical reaction because it causes a net release of heat into the environment.

How does thermodynamics relate to real-world problems?

By applying the laws of thermodynamics, chemists can measure, predict, and control the heat and energy of chemical reactions to help solve problems like making cleaner-burning rocket fuels and more efficient engines.

What lessons are included in this course?

The lessons are Types of Combustion, Stoichiometry, Pyrolysis, Fuels, and Octane.