Consider four possible liquid fuels used in vehicles.
• C8H18 Octane - gasoline
• C12H26 Dodecane - diesel
• CH3OH ethanol - gasoline additive
• CH3NO2 nitromethane - racing fuel
Determine the heat released upon combustion with O2 for 15gallons of each fuel.
Hint: Perform the following.
1. Balance the combustion reaction for each fuel. The productsare CO2(g), H2O(g); for nitromethane, N produces N2(g) as one ofthe products.
2. Determine the enthalpy of each combustion reaction.
3. Determine the enthalpy of combustion for 15 gallons of fuelreactant.
4. Which fuel gives the most heat upon combustion?
5. Does adding ethanol to gasoline increase or decrease gasmileage?
