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Harmful Effects of Combustion

Combustion can cause the production of some nasty chemicals.

The internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine

  • The combustion of alkanes powers our cars via the internal combustion engine.
  • Common impurities from the internal combustion engine are:
    • Nitrous oxides (NOx).
    • Unburned hydrocarbons.
    • Carbon monoxide.
  • Nitrous oxides react to form ozone at ground level.
    • Ozone irritates eyes and can cause lung damage.
Flue gases

Flue gases

  • Flue gases are the gases that come out of chimneys. They are also produced as industrial waste.
  • Flue gases often contain sulfur dioxide.
    • Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water to make sulfuric acid. This then falls as acid rain, which destroys trees and vegetation.
Nitrous oxides & sulphur oxides

Nitrous oxides & sulphur oxides

  • Sulphur dioxide (SO2 causes acid rain. SO2 is oxidized to SO3. SO3 then reacts with water to form H2SO4.
    • SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
  • Nitrous oxides catalyse the formation of SO3, so contribute to acid rain:
    • SO2 + NO2 → SO3 + NO
  • NO2 is then regenrated through treating with atmospheric oxygen:
    • NO + 1/2O2 → NO2
Removing these chemicals

Removing these chemicals

  • We can remove sulfur dioxide by reacting with calcium oxide or calcium carbonate.
  • This is because sulfur dioxide is acidic and calcium oxide is basic. The balanced equation for the process is:
    • CaO +SO2 → CaSO3
  • Catalytic converters can remove unburned hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides from fuel.
Jump to other topics
1

Physical Chemistry

1.1

Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2

Atomic Structure

1.3

Chemical Bonding

1.4

States of Matter

1.5

Chemical Energetics

1.6

Electrochemistry

1.7

Equilibria

1.8

Partition Coefficient

1.9

Reaction Kinetics

2

Inorganic Chemistry

3

Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2

Hydrocarbons

3.3

Halogen Derivatives

3.4

Hydroxy Compounds

3.5

Carbonyl Compounds

3.6

Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7

Nitrogen Compounds

3.8

Polymerisation

3.9

Analytical Techniques

3.10

Organic Synthesis

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