Question

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

Answer 1

Well, for a start, `"nonane"` `-=` `C_9H_20`..........

Explanation:

I think this is the primary component of `"kerosene"`.

`"Complete combustion:"`

`C_9H_20(l) + 14O_2(g) rarr 9CO_2(g) + 10H_2O(l)`

`"Incomplete combustion (i):"`

`C_9H_20(l) + 27/2O_2(g) rarr 8CO_2(g) + CO(g) + 10H_2O(l)`

`"Incomplete combustion (ii):"`

`C_9H_20(l) + 13O_2(g) rarr 8CO_2(g) + C(s) + 10H_2O(l)`

`"Incomplete combustion (iii):"`

`C_9H_20(l) + 25/2O_2(g) rarr 7CO_2(g) + CO(g) + C(s) + 10H_2O(l)`

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.