Combustion Process and Temperature Control — Lesson 3

This lesson covers the concept of combustion in a steady flow process using methane as a fuel. It discusses two cases of oxidizers: pure oxygen and a mixture of oxygen and argon. The lesson explains how the temperature of the combustion process can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of fuel to oxidizer. It also discusses the concept of enthalpy and how it is used to calculate the temperature of the combustion process. The lesson further explains how to calculate the final pressure in the combustion chamber. For instance, in a lab setting, it's common to add excess oxygen or other inert gases like helium or argon to control the temperature.

Video Highlights

03:45 - Explanation of the chemical reactions for both cases
07:38 - Calculation of the required excess oxygen in Case A
19:29 - Explanation of the problem of an insulated rigid tank containing ethane and theoretical air
20:20 - Calculation of the final temperature and pressures

Key Takeaways

- The temperature of a combustion process can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of fuel to oxidizer.
- Enthalpy is a key concept in calculating the temperature of the combustion process.
- In a lab setting, it's common to add excess oxygen or other inert gases like helium or argon to control the temperature.
- The final pressure in the combustion chamber can be calculated using the equation of state.