FUELS

Chapter – 4
I Definition:
Combustion A chemical process in which a substance or fuel burns in
oxygen to produce heat and light.
Ignition temperature The lowest temperature to which a combustible substance
must be heated to start burning.
Calorific Value The amount of heat produced by the complete combustion
of 1 gram of a given fuel.

II Underline the most appropriate answer:

1. Which of the following conditions is not necessary for combustion?
(a)The presence of a combustible substance
(b)The presence of a supporter of combustion
(c)Ignition temperature
(d)The presence of carbon dioxide

2. Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?

(a)Coal (b)Petroleum
(c)Natural gas (d)Charcoal

3. A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is called

(a)Coal gas (b)producer gas
(c)natural gas (d)water gas

4. The hottest part of candle flame is the

(a)blue zone (b)dark zone
(c)outer zone (d)middle zone

5. Which of the following gases helps in extinguisher a fire?

(a)carbon monoxide (b)carbon monoxide
(c)hydrogen (d)oxygen

6. The incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel produces

(a)charcoal (b)carbon monoxide
(c)carbon dioxide (d)a non-luminous flame

III Fill in the blanks:

1. The chemical process in which a substance burns in air or oxygen with the release
of heat and light is called
2. The lowest temperature at which a combustible substance burns is called
3. Coal tar is obtained by the destructive distillation of
 4. The various constituents of crude oil are separated by the process of
5. The main constituent of petroleum gas is
6. Carbon monoxide ________ metal oxides to their respective metals.

IV True or False:
1. Coal tar is obtained during the destructive distillation of coal.
2. The main component of natural gas is butane.
3. Water gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
4. Biogas contains m ethane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
5. The blue zone of a candle flame is due to the burning of carbon dioxide.
6. Carbon-rich fuels burn in a limited supply of air to give carbon dioxide.

V Match the following:

Column A Column B
1.carbon monoxide a) anthracite
2.best variety of coal b) poisonous gas
3.hydrocarbons c) a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen
4.water gas d) compounds of carbon and hydrogen only
5.producer gas e) consists of mainly methane
6.destructive distillation f) dyes
7.coal tar g) absence of air
8.natural gas h) a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen
i) peat

VI Name the following:

1. Another name for gasoline
2. A constituent of petroleum used in stoves and lanterns
3. Hydrocarbons used for surfacing roads
4. Mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen
5. The coolest zone of a candle flame
6. The two chemicals used in a soda-acid fire extinguisher
7. The compound formed by the reaction between haemoglobin and carbon monoxide

VII Question and Answers:

1. What is derived fuel?
Ans. Fuels that are derived from natural fuels are called secondary, derived or processed
fuels. Example charcoal, coke, kerosene, petrol, diesel, coal gas, water gas and
petroleum gas are derived fuels.

2. Give examples of derived solid fuels.

Ans. Coke and wood charcoal are derived solid fuels.
 - Coke is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal. It contains a high amount
of carbon. It is a good fuel and burns with very little smoke.
- Wood charcoal is a soft, black and porous solid. Wood charcoal has a low ignition
temperature. Hence, it is used for starting fires.

3. Give examples of derived liquid fuels.

Ans. Crude oil is a mixture of various hydrocarbons that are separated by the process of
fractional distillation. Liquid fuels derived from crude oil are gasoline (petrol),
kerosene, diesel, fuel oil and lubricating oil.

4. Give examples of derived gaseous fuels.

Ans. (i)Coal gas: Coal gas is obtained by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal. It
is a mixture of mainly hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Coal gas is a more
efficient fuel than solid fuels such as coal.
(ii)Water gas: Water gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is obtained
by passing steam over red-hot coke. Water gas is used as an industrial fuel and for
welding purposes. It is also used in the manufacture of hydrogen and ammonia.
(iii)Producer gas: It is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen. Producer gas is
obtained by passing air over red-hot coke at about 10000C. Producer gas is used as a
fuel. It is used in metallurgical processes for heating furnaces. It is also used in the
manufacture of glass and steel.
(iv) Biogas: Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and traces of hydrogen
and nitrogen. The chief constituent of biogas is methane. Which is about 65% by
volume. Biogas is formed when the slurry of animal waste and water is allowed to
ferment in the absence of air. Biogas is a clean fuel with a high calorific value. It can
be used as a fuel for cooking and lighting. The conversion of animal waste into biogas
reduces the production of the greenhouses gas, methane. Hence, the use of biogas has
environmental benefits.

5. How does a candle flame burn.

Ans. A candle made of paraffin wax burns with a flame. When the wick of the candle is
lit, some wax melts and it is absorbed by the wick. The heat of the flame converts the
liquid was to vapour, and the wax vapour burns with a flame.

6. What are the different zones of a candle flame?

Ans. The different zones of a candle flame are as follows: -
1) The outer or non-luminous zone (zone of complete combustion): It is the hottest
part of the flame. In this zone, the wax vapour has enough oxygen to burn
completely and produces carbon dioxide and water. No residue (soot) is formed in
this region.
2) The middle or luminous zone (zone of incomplete combustion): In the middle
zone, the wax vapour starts burning. Glowing carbon particles give out a yellowish
flame due to incomplete combustion in this zone. As the supply of air(oxygen) is
inadequate in this zone, carbon monoxide is formed. This zone is moderately hot.
3) The innermost or dark zone (zone of no combustion): The innermost or dark zone
of the flame consists of unburnt wax vapour. It appears dark as no oxygen reaches
 there and hence no combustion takes place in this zone. Therefore, this zone is the
coolest zone of the candle flame.
4) Blue zone: It is a small region at the base of the wick. Carbon monoxide formed
due to incomplete combustion burns with a blue flame.

7. What is fire?
Ans. The burning of a substance with the evolution of heat and light and usually
accompanied by flame is known as fire.

8. What are the things essential for a fire to start?

Ans. The things that are essential to start a fire and burn continuously are fuel (combustible
substance), oxygen or air (Supporter of combustion) and the required ignition
temperature.

9. List down few safety measured that can be taken at home in order to prevent
and survive any mishap related to fire.
Ans. Few safety measures which can be taken at home in order to prevent and survive any
mishap related to fire are:
- Matches and lighters are to be kept away from children.
- The cooking gas should be turned off after cooking is over.
- If there is a leakage of cooking gas, all the doors and windows should be opened
for the gas to escape.
- Lit candles should never be left unattended.
- Combustible materials like clothes and furniture should be kept away from heating
appliances and other sources of fire.
- Electric wiring should be checked and repaired regularly to prevent fire caused by
short-circuiting.

10. List down few ways to extinguish fire once it has started.
Ans. Once a fire has started, it can be extinguished if the supply of air is cut off or the
temperature is lowered below the ignition point of the combustible substance.
1) A fire caused by the burning of wood can be extinguished by pouring water or
throwing sand over it. The water will lower the temperature of the burning
materials below the ignition point and hence the fire will be extinguished. The
sand will cut off the supply of air and thus the fire will be extinguished.
2) If the fire is caused by oil or gas, it should be extinguished by using a fire
extinguisher. The carbon dioxide released from a fire extinguisher will cut off the
supply of air and thus the fire will die down.
3) If it is an electrical fire, turn off the main switch.
4) Water should never be poured into burning oil, kerosene or petrol as they float on
water and can further spread the fire.
5) If there is an outbreak of fire, help from a nearby fire station should be taken
immediately.
6) Victims of fire should be rushed to the hospital after giving first aid.

11. List down few first aid procedures for fire victims.
Ans. Few first aid for fire victims are as below:
 - The victim should be brought out from the source of fire and taken to a safe place.
- If the victim’s clothing is in flames, the victim should be wrapped in a heavy cotton
cloth, like sheets, to extinguish the fire.
- The victim or his/her burnt part can be put under cool running water to prevent the
formation of blisters.
- In case of minor burns, an antibiotic ointment can be applied.
- If the burn is deeper, the victim should be rushed to the hospital after giving first
aid.

12. What is a fire extinguisher?

Ans. A fire extinguisher is a device used to extinguish or control a fire. The different types
of fire extinguishers are Soda-acid fire extinguisher, foam-based fire extinguisher and
liquid carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.

13. Explain the functioning of a soda-acid fire extinguisher.

Ans. A soda-acid fire extinguisher is the simplest fire extinguisher. It consists of a metallic
cylinder filled with a solution of sodium bicarbonate. A glass bottle filled with
concentrated sulphuric acid is placed inside the cylinder. When the knob of the fire
extinguisher is pressed, the glass bottle breaks, allowing the sulphuric acid to come
in contact with the solution of sodium bicarbonate. As a result, the following reaction
takes place:
2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 -> Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2
When the pressure of carbon dioxide gas builds up, the seal of the nozzle breaks and
the carbon dioxide comes out with force along with the solution. This is directed
towards the fire and it cuts off the supply of air to the burning material. The fire is
thus put off.

14. Explain the functioning of a foam-based fire extinguisher.

Ans. A foam based fire extinguisher contains aluminium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate
in separate containers. When these two chemicals mix, they react to form carbon
dioxide and a frothy foam which come out through the nozzle of the extinguisher.
Foam covers the burning object like a blanket and cuts off the supply of air or oxygen.
This type of extinguisher is used to put out fire caused by oil because the foam covers
the oil and also cuts off the air supply.

15. Explain the functioning of liquid carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.

Ans. In this type of fire extinguisher, carbon dioxide is stored in liquid form under high
pressure in a cylinder. When released, carbon dioxide prevents air from coming in
contact with fire. This type of extinguisher is useful in putting out a fire caused by
electrical appliances because carbon dioxide does not conduct electricity. This
extinguisher is also used to put out a fire caused by petrol or oil.

16. When can a soda-acid fire extinguisher be used?

Ans. When a fire is caused by some solid inflammable substances, a soda-acid fire
extinguisher is effective. It is not effective in case of fires caused by inflammable
liquids such as petrol or oil. This is because the solution released by the extinguisher
is heavy and sinks into the oil, which makes it unable to cut off the supply of air. Also
 care must be taken not to use a soda-acid fire extinguisher in case of electrical fires,
because the solution is a good conductor of electricity. This may cause the user to
suffer an electric shock.

17. What is carbon monoxide?

Ans. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous and flammable gas. It is present in the exhaust
gases of automobiles and furnaces due to incomplete combustion of carbon or carbon-
rich fuels. It is also found in small quantities in coal gas.

18. Discuss the poisonous nature of carbon monoxide.

Ans. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. It combines with the haemoglobin in the
red blood cells of our body to form a stable compound called carboxyhaemoglobin,
which lowers the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. This results in death
due to suffocation, which is known as asphyxia. Carbon monoxide from combustion
fumes such as those made by stoves and burning of coal can build up in poor
ventilated places. One can be poisoned by breathing in them. Therefore, it is
dangerous to sleep in a closed room with coal burning in it. The most common
symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting
and loss of consciousness. If a person is poisoned with carbon monoxide, he/she
should be brought out in the open air. If the person is unconscious, seek emergency
medical care.

19. List down the properties of carbon monoxide.

Ans. The properties of carbon monoxide are
- Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas.
- It is slightly soluble in water.
- It reacts with water vapour at high temperatures forming carbon dioxide and
hydrogen.
- Carbon monoxide burns in air or oxygen with a pale blue flame.

20. Discuss the reducing property of carbon monoxide.

Ans. Carbon monoxide is a strong reducing agent. It reduces heated oxides of metals such
as zinc, iron and copper to produce the respective metals and carbon dioxide.

ZnO + CO -> Zn + CO2

PbO + CO -> Pb + CO2

Because of its reducing nature, carbon monoxide is used in the extraction of metals
from their ores.

21. How is carbon monoxide added to the atmosphere?

Ans. Carbon monoxide gets added to the atmosphere through
(i)Exhaust fumes: The complete combustion of fuels containing hydrocarbons
produces water and carbon dioxide. If hydrocarbon fuels are burnt in a limited supply
of air, carbon monoxide is formed. This automobile happens generally in the engines
of automobiles. Therefore, automobile exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide.
(ii)Incomplete burning of coal, coke and charcoal: When coal, coke and charcoal are
burnt in a limited supply of air or oxygen, carbon monoxide is produced. Air or
oxygen reacts with carbon to form carbon dioxide which on passing through red-hot
coal or coke converts to carbon monoxide.