Combustion of Alkanes

Question 1

What is a fuel?

Answer 1

Fuels are substances that are burnt to give out energy.

Question 2

Why are alkanes good fuels?

Answer 2

They undergo combustion to give out a large amount of energy.

Question 3

What are the environmental problems associated with the use of alkanes?

Answer 3

-Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas
-Nitrogen oxides produce nitric acid in rain; producing acid rain
-Sulfur dioxide produces acid rain via sulfuric acid
-Carbon particulates exacerbate asthma
-Unburnt hydrocarbons enter the atmosphere and become greenhouse gases

Question 4

How are these environmental issues tackled?

Answer 4

FLUE GAS DESULFURISATION
-Gases given out by power stations are called flue gases
-Calcium oxide and water form calcium sulfite which can be oxidised to calcium sulfate

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
-Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide -> nitrogen and carbon dioxide
-Platinum and rhodium metals
-Less harmful gases are emitted

CARBON NEUTRAL ACTIVITIES
-Activities that produce no overall carbon dioxide emissions