Question

An ideal mixture of producer gas contains: (a) \(65 \% \mathrm{CO}, 35 \% \mathrm{~N}_{2}\) (b) \(65 \% \mathrm{CO}, 30 \% \mathrm{~N}_{2}\) and \(5 \% \mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (c) \(35 \% \mathrm{CO}, 65 \% \mathrm{~N}_{2}\) (d) \(30 \% \mathrm{CO}, 65 \% \mathrm{~N}_{2}\) and \(5 \% \mathrm{CO}_{2}\)

Short answer

The ideal mixtures are (c) and (d).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Ideal Mixture

An ideal producer gas mixture typically has approximately 30-35% carbon monoxide (CO) and the rest composed mostly of nitrogen (N2). We need to determine which of the given options matches this composition.

Analyzing Option (a)

Option (a) consists of 65% CO and 35% N2. This option has too high a percentage of CO compared to the typical range of 30-35%. Therefore, it is not an ideal mixture.

Analyzing Option (b)

Option (b) consists of 65% CO, 30% N2, and 5% CO2. Similar to option (a), the CO content is far above the ideal range of 30-35%, making it not suitable.

Analyzing Option (c)

Option (c) consists of 35% CO and 65% N2. This is within the ideal range for CO and balances with N2, matching the typical composition for an ideal producer gas.

Analyzing Option (d)

Option (d) consists of 30% CO, 65% N2, and 5% CO2. This option also falls within the CO range of 30-35%, and the presence of 5% CO2 does not much alter the typical balance of CO and N2, making it acceptable as an ideal mixture.

Key concepts

Ideal Gas Mixture

In the context of producer gases, an ideal gas mixture is frequently characterized by its specific composition of various gases. One important characteristic is the balanced proportion between carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen (N_2), forming the backbone of the mixture. Typically, a satisfactory ideal mixture consists of around 30-35% CO, with nitrogen making up the remaining majority. This balance ensures optimal combustion and functionality in applications such as fuel production.

An ideal gas mixture like this is important in reducing undesirable pollutants and in optimizing energy production efficiency. Understanding this balance helps in designing industrial processes that utilize producer gas efficiently, maintaining a clean and balanced environment.

Carbon Monoxide Percentage

Carbon monoxide is a significant component of producer gases and plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the gas for its intended use. In an ideal producer gas, the carbon monoxide percentage should generally range between 30 and 35 percent.

Too much carbon monoxide, as seen in options like (a) and (b) where the percentage is 65%, can lead to an inefficient combustion process. It might cause excessive emissions and can potentially be hazardous. On the contrary, sufficient levels of CO contribute to cleaner burning processes and more complete combustion.

Balancing this component is essential for environmental sustainability and achieving the desired thermal properties of the gas.

Nitrogen Percentage

Nitrogen makes up the bulk of the producer gas mixture, ensuring that the combustion process is moderated and stable. In ideal mixtures, nitrogen generally occupies 65% of the gas content. Options like (c) and (d) fall into this ideal category with 65% nitrogen.

This high percentage is crucial as nitrogen acts as a diluent, preventing the gas from burning too rapidly or at too high a temperature, which could be detrimental in industrial settings. Furthermore, the presence of nitrogen helps in controlling the flame temperature, contributing to safer handling and operation.

Understanding the nitrogen content in gas mixtures is key for applications where stability and controllability are priorities.

Gas Analysis

Gas analysis refers to the process of determining the composition of a gas mixture to ensure it meets desired specifications. This analysis is crucial in the context of producer gas to verify the balance between components such as CO and N_2.

Through gas analysis, one can ascertain whether the gas mixture qualifies as ideal by comparing the actual composition to the typical ranges for CO and N_2. Additionally, gas analysis might reveal the presence of other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), as seen in options (b) and (d), where CO2 is around 5%.

Conducting thorough gas analysis ensures the safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance of the industrial processes that rely on these gas mixtures, making it a critical step in gas production and utilization.