# What is the balanced equation for the incomplete combustion of nonane C_9H_2O?

Mar 11, 2017

Well, for a start, $\text{nonane}$ $\equiv$ ${C}_{9} {H}_{20}$..........

#### Explanation:

I think this is the primary component of $\text{kerosene}$.

$\text{Complete combustion:}$

${C}_{9} {H}_{20} \left(l\right) + 14 {O}_{2} \left(g\right) \rightarrow 9 C {O}_{2} \left(g\right) + 10 {H}_{2} O \left(l\right)$

$\text{Incomplete combustion (i):}$

${C}_{9} {H}_{20} \left(l\right) + \frac{27}{2} {O}_{2} \left(g\right) \rightarrow 8 C {O}_{2} \left(g\right) + C O \left(g\right) + 10 {H}_{2} O \left(l\right)$

$\text{Incomplete combustion (ii):}$

${C}_{9} {H}_{20} \left(l\right) + 13 {O}_{2} \left(g\right) \rightarrow 8 C {O}_{2} \left(g\right) + C \left(s\right) + 10 {H}_{2} O \left(l\right)$

$\text{Incomplete combustion (iii):}$

${C}_{9} {H}_{20} \left(l\right) + \frac{25}{2} {O}_{2} \left(g\right) \rightarrow 7 C {O}_{2} \left(g\right) + C O \left(g\right) + C \left(s\right) + 10 {H}_{2} O \left(l\right)$

All I have done here is made sure that garbage out equals garbage in (have I?). I have assumed that SOME of the hydrocarbon reactant is incompletely combusted. What do I mean by this? The actual degree of combustion would have to be measured by some means of analysis. We could certainly represent it.