Chem Fuels

Combustion

When something burns in O2

Combustion of Nonmetals produces…

Acidic oxides that’s usually gases

Combustion of Metals produces…

Solid metallic oxides that’re basic

Complete Combustion

Occurs in excess oxide, produces water and carbon dioxide.

Incomplete Combustion

Occurs with limited oxygen, resulting in carbon monoxide, soot (carbon particles), and water.

What makes a good fuel?

It’s cheap, accessible, produces high quality energy, it has a reasonable rate of production, and is environmentally friendly.

Fossil Fuels

Anaerobically made by the slow decomposition of plant and animal matter.

Natural Gas

Made of mostly methane, produced by decomposing organic material.

Natural Gas Benefits

• cleanest bc of low carbon content

• easy to transport bc we have lots of infrastructure to pipeline it

Greenhouse Effect

Obvious part: greenhouse gasses trapped in the atmosphere

Anthropogenic (env. change made by humans) will exacerbate these effects.

Biofuels

Sustainable and renewable.

Ex: wood and ethanol

Gasohol and Biofuels

10% ethanol, 90% gasoline.

Renewable, we don’t depend on other countries for it, lowers CO2 and NO2 emissions

Fuel Cells

Converts chemical energy into electrical energy. The electron transfer from a Hydrogen to Oxygen can by converted to electricity.

Methanol Fuel Cell

High density fuel, easy to transport.