Introduction
Hydrocarbon combustion refers to the type of reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to create carbon dioxide, water and heat. Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of both hydrogen and carbon. They are most famous for being the primary constituent of fossil fuel, namely natural gas, petroleum and coal. For this reason, fossil fuel resources are often referred to as hydrocarbon resources. Energy is obtained from fossil fuels through combustion (burning) of the fuel. Although impurities exist in fossil fuels, hydrocarbon combustion is the primary process in the burning of fossil fuel. Regardless of the type of hydrocarbon, combustion with oxygen produces 3 products: carbon dioxide, water and heat.
Note that CO2 is always produced in hydrocarbon combustion; it doesn't matter what type of hydrocarbon molecule. Producing CO2 and H2O is actually how useful energy is obtained from fossil fuels. For this reason, it is important to distinguish between carbon dioxide and other "waste" products that arise from impurities in the fuel such as sulfur and nitrogen compounds. Wastes that arise from impurities can be eliminated with the right technology; CO2 cannot be eliminated unless the fossil fuels are not burned (used) in the first place.
http://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Hydrocarbon_combustion
Task
1. Finish the equation. Is this a complete or incomplete combustion?
CH4 + 2O2 →
2. Write C3H8 propane and butane C4H10 complete combustion equations!
3. Finish the equation!
2C6H14+19O2 →
4. Explain in detail what are hydrocarbons?
Process
1.
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 +2H2O + 890 kJ
It is an incomplete combustion because CO2 is formed.
hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
2.
C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
2C4H10 +13O → 8CO +10H2O
3.
2C6H14+19O2 → 12CO2+14H2O
4.
Hydrocarbons are molecules consisting of both hydrogen and carbon and they are the primary constituent of fossil fuel.
Evaluation
Correctly answered only 1 task: failed
Correctly answered 2 tasks: failed
Correctly answered 3 tasks: barely passed
Correctly answered 4 tasks: passed
Conclusion
By learning about hydrocarbon combustion you learn more about fire and how molecules change in these equations. You learn about energy and how to use this in real life. It is very important because the theory of hydrocarbon combustion is used frequently in manufacturing and in other important fields.