Question

Which would cause a gas furnace to produce a large amount of carbon monoxide?

A) saturation
B) fractional distillation
C) incomplete combustion
D) complete combustion

Answer 1

The answer is C. When there is combustion of a carbon-based fuel in a place with deficient oxygen levels, then the product would be high levels of carbon monoxide. If there is sufficient oxygen,then the product is carbon dioxide. This is illustrated by the equations below;

(Complete combustion) C8H18 + 2502 ----> 16CO2 + 18H20

(Incomplete combustion) C8H18 + 902 ----à C + 5CO + 2CO2 + 9H2O

Answer 2

Which would cause a gas furnace to produce a large amount of carbon monoxide?
A) saturation
B) fractional distillation
C) incomplete combustion -- THIS S THE ANSWER
D) complete combustion

Carbon Monoxide is a result of incomplete combustion of fuels. Fully combusted (or oxidized) carbon should turn into carbon dioxide (CO2) not carbon monoxide (CO).