Arnedo

6.1 The reference hydrocarbon fuel for which the combustion temperature rise curves of Fig.
2.15 have been drawn contains 13.92 per cent hydrogen and 86.08 per cent carbon, and the
relevant value of the enthalpy of reaction, H298K is -43100 kJ/kg of fuel. An actual adiabatic
steady flow combustion process employs this fuel, with fuel and air entering at 298 K in the ratio
0.0150 by weight. A chemical analysis of the products shows that 4.0 per cent of the carbon is
burnt only to carbon monoxide, and the combustion temperature rise T is found to be 583 K.
Using Fig. 2.15, calculate the combustion efficiency based on (a) ratio of actual to theoretical f
for the actual T, (b) ratio of actual to theoretical T for the actual f. Compare these values with
the efficiency based on the ratio of actual energy released to that theoretically obtainable, given
that H298K for CO is 10110 kJ/kg.
(a) From Fig. 2.15, for T1=298 K and T=583 K, theoretical f=0.0147
0.0147
b = 0.0150 = 0.980

(b) From Fig. 2.15, for f=0.0150 and T1=298 K, theoretical T=593 K
583 K
b = 593 K = 0.983

(c) mass of CO per kg of fuel:

28
m= 12 (0.04)(0.8608) = 0.0803 kg

Actual released energy = 43100 kJ/kg[0.0803(10110)] kJ/kg = 42288.167 kJ/kg

Efficiency based on released energy:
42288.167 kJ /kg
= 43100 kJ / kg = 0.981