Question

Coal containing 15.0% H2O, 2.0% S and 83.0% C by mass is burnt with the stoichiometric amount of air in a furnace. What is the mole fraction of SO2(g) in the exhaust

Answer 1

This is a coal combustion process and we will assume

Inlet coal amount = 100kg

It means that there are

15kg of H2O, 2kg of Sulphur and 83kg of Carbon

Now to find the mole fraction of SO2(g) in the exhaust?

Molar mass of S = 32kg/kmol

Initial moles n of S = 2/32 = 0.0625kmols

Reaction: S + O₂ = SO₂

That is 1 mole of S reacts with 1 mole of O₂ to give 1 mole of SO₂

Then, it means for 0.0625 kmoles of S, we will have 0.0625 kmole of SO2 coming out of the exhaust

The mole fraction of SO2(g) in the exhaust=0.0625kmols

Step-by-step explanation: