CA2 Question bank with answers

Unit 4
Part A

What is called hydrogenation of Coal?

Coal is hydrogen deficient compound. If coal is heated with hydrogen at
1. high temperature and high pressure, it is converted into gasoline. This
process of preparation of liquid fuel from solid coal is called
hydrogenation of coal.

What is meant by regenerative system of heat economy?

A regenerative system of heat economy, also known as a regenerative
2. heat exchanger or regenerator, is a device that stores heat from a hot
fluid and transfers it to a cold fluid to improve a system's thermal
efficiency.

How is coke superior to coal?

3. Coke is a better fuel because coke produces more heat on burning as
compared to coal. Coke has a higher calorific value than coal.

Define Octane number.

It is used to express the knocking property of petrol. Octane number is
equal to the percentage of isooctane present in a mixture of n-heptane
and isooctane.

4.

Define Cetane number.

It is used to express the knocking property of diesel. Cetane number is
the percentage of hexadecane (cetane) present in a mixture of
hexadecane and 2-methyl naphthalene which has the same ignition lag
as the fuel under test.
5.

6. What is Power alcohol?

 When 10 % absolute ethyl alcohol is blended with petrol , it is called
power alcohol. Its calorific value is 7000 Kcal./Kg

Define GCV and LCV of a fuel.

Higher calorific value or Gross calorific value (G.C.V) Gross calorific value
(G.C.V) is the total amount of heat produced, when a unit quantity of the
fuel is completely burnt and the products of combustion are cooled to
room temperature.
Lower calorific value or Net calorific value (N.C.V) Net calorific value
(N.C.V) is defined as the net heat produced, when a unit quantity of the
fuel is completely burnt and the products of combustion are allowed to
7. escape

Define Carbon emission.

Carbon emissions, also known as greenhouse gas emissions, are the
8.
release of carbon compounds into the atmosphere over a specific area
and time period

Define Carbon foot print.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases
9.
(GHGs) produced by a person, organization, or activity. GHGs are gases
that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change

What is meant by Knocking?

Knocking is a kind of explosion due to sudden pressure rise occurring in
internal combustion engine. It can be reduced by adding TEL (Tetra Ethyl
Lead). The knocking tendency of gasoline mainly depends on their
10. chemical structures.
The knocking tendency decreases in the following order. Straight chain
paraffins > branched chain paraffins (iso paraffins)>
cycloparaffins(naphthalenes) > olefins > aromatics

What is the analysis carried out to assess the quality of Coal?

11. Proximate analysis

Ultimate analysis

12. What is carbonisation and write its types?

 The process of strong heating of coal in the absence of air & converting it
into coke is known as carbonization of coal.
Types of carbonization a) Low-temperature carbonization - heating coal
at 500 – 7000C. b) High-temperature carbonization - heating coal at 900
– 12000C

Write about the spontaneous ignition temperature.

13. It is the minimum temperature at which the fuel catches fire
spontaneously without external heating.

How do you control carbon foot print ?

Drive less

14 Reduce your food waste

Eat less meat and stick with fruits, veggies, grains and beans
Cut down on air conditioning

Define green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by splitting water by electrolysis.
15
This produces only hydrogen and oxygen. To achieve the electrolysis we
need electricity, we need power.

Define explosive range of a fuel.

16 The explosive range of a fuel is the range between the lower explosive
limit (LEL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL)

Part B

1 i) Discuss the Proximate analysis of Coal ( 8 marks)

. Proximate analysis is a type of analysis of coal. It informs about the
practical utilization of coal. It is the determination of moisture, volatile
matter, ash and fixed carbon. Calorific values mainly depends on the
presence of moisture, volatile matter and ash contents. So it is essential
to measure these items.
Moisture: A known amount of finely powdered air-dried coal sample is
taken in crucible. The crucible is placed inside an electric hot air-oven, at
105o to 110oC for 1 hour. The crucible is then taken out, cooled in
desiccators and weighed. Difference in the weight of sample gives the
information about the weight loss due to removal of moisture.
% of moisture content = _Loss in weight of coal__ x 100
Wt. of coal taken initially

Significance:
- It reduces the calorific value (C.V.) of coal.
 - It increases the consumption of coal for heating purpose.
- It lengthens the time of heating.

Volatile matter: The moisture free coal sample is taken in a crucible,

covered with a lid and placed in muffle furnace (electric furnace) at
950oC for 7 minutes and then remove the crucible from the oven and
cooled first in air, then cooled in a desiccator and weighed again. Loss in
weight is due to presence of volatile matter in coal sample.
% of volatile matter in coal = Loss in Wt. of coal x 100
Wt. of moisture free coal
Significance:
- ignites easily
- has lower calorific value
- burns with long yellow smoky flame
- evolves more coal gas when heated in the absence of air
Ash: The residual coal sample taken in a crucible and then heated
without lid in a muffle furnace at 700-750 oC for an hour. The crucible is
then taken out, cooled first in air, then in desiccators and weighed again.
The process of heating, cooling and weighing are repeated until a
constant weight is not obtained. The residue is reported as ash on
percentage-basis
% ash in coal = Weight of ash formed x 100
Wt. of volatile free coal taken
Significance:
High ash content increases transport, handling and storage
costs.
- High ash content coal is harder and stronger
- High ash content coal has lower calorific value.
Fixed carbon: The fixed carbon percentage is determined by following
equation
% of fixed carbon in coal= 100-% of (MC+VM+ASH)
Significance:
Greater the calorific value, higher the % of fixed carbon.

ii) Calculate the gross and net calorific values of coal having
the following compositions, carbon = 85%, hydrogen = 8%,
sulphur = 1%, nitrogen = 2%, ash = 4%, latent heat of
steam = 587 cal/gm.( 8 Marks)
 Dulong's formula for calculating the calorific value can be used:
Gross calorific value (GCV) = (1/100) × [8080C + 34500(H - O/8) +
2240S],
where C, S, O, H are the percentages of carbon, sulphur, oxygen and
hydrogen.
So, substitute all the given values in the formula and calculate so that
you will get GCV:
GCV = (1/100) × [8080×85 + 34500(8 - 0/8) + 2240×1] = 9650.4
(kcal/kg)
Gross calorific value is 9650.4 kcal/kg
Apply the formula for net calorific value (NCV):
NCV = (GCV - 0.09H×587)
Therefore,
NCV = (9650.4 - 0.09×8×587) = 9227.76 (kcal/kg)
Net calorific value is 9227.76 kcal/kg

2. Explain the ultimate analysis of Coal (16 Marks)

Ultimate analysis: Ultimate analysis is involving the measurement of C,
H, N, S, and O.
Carbon and hydrogen:
In a combustion apparatus, about 1-2 gram of coal sample is burnt in a
current of oxygen to convert C and H into CO 2 and H2O respectively. The
gaseous products CO2 and H2O are absorbed in KOH and CaCl 2 tubes of
known weights, respectively. The increase in weights of these (KOH and
CaCl2) are then determined.
 Nitrogen: In Kjeldahl’s flask add accurately weighed powdered coal and
heated with concentrated H2SO4 and K2SO4 as a catalyst. The solution
becomes clear when all the nitrogen is converted into ammonium
sulphate then it is treated with excess of NaOH which convert
ammonium sulphate into ammonia; the liberated ammonia is distilled
over and absorbed in a known volume of standard (N/10) H 2SO4 solution.
From the volume of H2SO4 used by liberated ammonia, the percentage of
Nitrogen in coal, calculated as follows:

The volume of unused H2SO4 is then determined by titrating against

standard NaOH solution (N/10). The amount of H2SO4 required to
neutralize ammonia evolve from coal is calculated as follows:

Sulphur: A known amount of coal sample is burnt in bomb calorimeter in presence of

oxygen. After that, sulphur present in coal is converted into SO 2 and SO3. The ash obtained
from the bomb calorimeter, is extracted with dil. HCl. The washings (acid extracts) are
treated with Barium chloride solution and the sulphates are precipitate as Barium
sulphate. This precipitate is filtered, washed, dried and heated to obtain constant weight

Ash: Percentage of ash calculated by method given in proximate

analysis.
Oxygen: It is calculated by subtracting the sum of total % of carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur and ash from 100.

3. What is meant by flue gas. Explain the flue gas analysis by ORSAT
method. What is its advantage. ( 16 Marks)
The mixture of gases (like CO2, O2, CO and N2) coming out from the
combustion chamber is called flue gas
Flue gas analysis by Orsat apparatus method.

Principle :
This method is based on the absorption principle. The gases like CO 2 , O2
and CO are absorbed by KOH, alkaline pyrogallol and ammoniacal
cuprous chloride solutions respectively.
Significance :

i) It gives an idea about the complete combustion of fuel or

not.
ii) If CO is high in the flue gas, it shows incomplete
combustion of the fuel and short supply of oxygen.
iii) If CO2 and O2 are high in the flue gas, it shows complete
combustions of the fuel and excess supply of oxygen
Description of Orsat's apparatus
 It consists of a horizontal tube having three way stop cock.
 One end of the tube is connected to a U- tube containing fused CaCl 2.
 Another end of the tube is connected to a graduated burette.
 The burette is surrounded by a water jacket.
 The lower end of the burette is connected by a water reservoir.
 The middle of the horizontal tube is connected with 3 bulbs (I, II and III)
for absorbing flue gases as follows:

i) Bulb I - KOH solution and it absorbs only CO 2

ii) Bulb II - alkaline pyrogallol solution and it absorbs only O 2
iii) Bulb III - ammoniacal cuprous chloride solution and it
absorbs CO.
Working of Orsat apparatus:
  The three – way stop cock is opened.
 The burette is filled with water, by raising the water
reservoir to remove air from the burette.
 Then, the flue gas is taken in the burette upto 100 cc by raising and
lowering the reservoir

 The three way stop cock is now closed.

Absorption of gases in bulbs

i) Absorption of CO2
  The stopper of the bulb I is opened.
  The flue gas is allowed to pass into the bulb I.
  CO2 present in flue gas is absorbed by KOH.
  It is repeated several times.
  The decrease in volume of burette indicates the volume of
CO2 .
  Now the stopper is closed.
ii) Absorption of O2
  The stopper of the bulb II is opened.
  The flue gas is allowed to pass into the bulb II.
  O2 present in flue gas is absorbed by alkaline pyrogallol.
  It is repeated several times
 The decrease in volume of burette indicates the volume of
O2.
  Now the stopper is closed.
iii) Absorption of CO

  The stopper of the bulb III is opened.

  The flue gas is allowed to pass into the bulb III.
  CO present in flue gas is absorbed by ammoniacal cuprous
chloride solution. It is repeated several times.
 The decrease in volume of burette indicates the volume of
CO.
 Now the stopper is closed.
4. i)Calculate the net and gross calorific value of a coal sample having
following composition. C = 82%, H = 8%, 0 = 5%, N = 1.4% and ash =
3.6%( 8Marks)

HCV = 0.01× [8080×80 + 34500×(5-4/8) + 2240×3.5]

= 8094.9 kcal/kg
LCV = [8094.9 - 0.09×5×587]
= 7830.75 kcal/kg

iii) Describe the manufacture of Synthetic petrol by Bergius

Process. (8 Marks)
Synthetic Petrol
 The preparation of liquid fuels (petrol) from solid coal is called synthetic
petrol. The process is named hydrogenation of coal
Manufactured of synthetic petrol by Bergius process.
Coal - 4.5% hydrogen
Petroleum - 18% hydrogen
When compared to petroleum, coal is a hydrogen deficient compound. If
coal is heated with hydrogen under high temperature and high pressure,
solid coal will be converted into liquid fuel. It is called hydrogenation of
coal and the liquid fuel obtained is called synthetic petrol.
Bergius process for manufacture of synthetic petrol:
In this method, the finely powdered coal is made into a paste with heavy
oil and a powder of catalyst (tin or nickel oleate). This mixture is sent to
a converter and heated with hydrogen gas at 450°C under a pressure of
200 – 250 atm for about 1.5 hours.
During this process, hydrogen combines with coal to form saturated
higher hydrocarbons, which decomposes at higher temperature to yield
mixture of low boiling hydrocarbons

The mixture is sent into the cooler, where the crude oil is obtained.
The crude oil is then fractionated to get (i) Gasoline (or) Petrol (ii) Middle
oil (iii) Heavy oil
The middle oil is further hydrogenated in the vapour phase in the
presence of solid catalyst to yield more petrol. The heavy oil is recycled
for making paste with fresh coal dust. The yield of petrol is about 60% of
the coal dust used.

5. Explain the metallurgical Coke manufacture process with a neat diagram.

( 16 Marks).
Otto-Hoffmann oven consists of a number of series of narrow silica
chambers. Each chamber is provided with a charging hole at the top. The
 oven is provided with iron door at each end for discharging the coke.
Coal is charged into chambers and the doors are closed. The chambers
are heated by a mixture of preheated air and producer gas at 1200 oC.
The coal undergoes combustion and liberates waste gases. The heat of
the waste gases are used for heat regeneration of oven before leaving
the chamber. Therefore, heating of the oven is continued till the
liberation of volatile gases is completed.
After 24 hours, the coke is removed from the oven and quenched with
water. The yield of coke is about 75%. The valuable by- products like coal
gas, tar, ammonia, H2S, benzene etc., are recovered.

Recovery of by-products:

(i) Tar: The flue gases are first passed through a tower in
which liquor ammonia is sprayed. Tar and dust get
dissolved and collected in a tank below, which is heated
by steam coils to recover back the ammonia sprayed.
(ii) Ammonia: The gases are then passed through another
tower in which water is sprayed. Here ammonia gets
converted to NH4OH.
(iii) Naphthalene: The gases are again passed through a
tower, in which cooled water is sprayed. Here
naphthalene gets condensed.
(iv) Benzene: The gases are passed through another tower,
where petroleum is sprayed. Here benzene gets
condensed to liquid.
(v) Hydrogen Sulphide: The remaining gases are then passed
through a purifier packed with moist Fe2O3. Here H2S is
retained.
The final gas left out is called coal gas which is used as a
gaseous fuel.
Advantages of Otto Hoffman’s process:
1. Valuable by products like ammonia, coal gas,
naphthalene etc. are recovered.
2. The carbonization time is less.
3. Heating is done externally by producer gas.

6. Write short notes on i) Biodiesel ii) Green Hydrogen (16Marks)

Biodiesel is the methyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils
or animal fats.
Problems of using vegetable oil directly:
 Viscosity and molecular weight of vegetable oils are higher than diesel

 Atomization is very poor, hence incomplete combustion.

 It causes deposit formation on engine.
 Misfire and ignition delay.
Manufacture: Trans-esterification or Alcoholysis
Biodiesel fuel is produced from a variety of crops like soya bean,
mustard, flax, sunflower, palm oil, hemp, jatropha, rape seed, canola and
animal fats. Biodiesel is synthesized by trans-esterification of vegetable
oil and fat by methanol in the presence of catalyst (NaOH, KOH) to give
monomethyl esters of fatty acids and glycerin.

Uses: It is a pure fuel. It can be used in existing diesel engines without

modification.
Advantages:

(i) Biodegradable fuel

(ii) Renewable fuel
(iii) Less expensive
(iv) Less toxic
(v) Less smoke emissions
(vi) Clean-burning fuel
(vii) Best engine performance

Disadvantages:

(i) It requires energy to produce biodiesel

(ii) It gels in cold weather
(iii) It degrades and soften the rubber
(iv) It absorbs the water from atmosphere
(v) It decreases the horse power of engine.

Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen (GH2) is defined as hydrogen generated by
splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis
powered by renewable electricity. The process ensures that the
only by-product is oxygen, with no harmful emissions released
during production
. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that
transitioning to green hydrogen could potentially save
around 830 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which are
currently produced when hydrogen is derived from fossil fuels
Applications
The applications of green hydrogen are diverse and critical for
various sectors:
 Heavy Industry: Used in high-temperature processes, steel
production, and as a feedstock for green ammonia and
organic chemicals.
 Transport: Suitable for long-haul transport including
shipping and aviation.
 Energy Storage: Acts as a long-term storage solution for
renewable energy, helping to balance supply and demand
Economic and Environmental Impact
Despite its potential, green hydrogen currently accounts for less
than 0.04% of total hydrogen production due to its higher costs
compared to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. As of 2024, the cost
disadvantage has improved but remains significant; green
hydrogen is still about three times more expensive than its grey
counterpart. However, initiatives like India’s National Green
Hydrogen Mission aim to bolster production capacity and drive
down costs through increased investment and technological
advancements.
Standards and Regulations
To ensure the sustainability of green hydrogen production,
various countries are establishing standards. For instance,
India's Green Hydrogen Standard specifies that to qualify as
"green," the production process must not exceed 2 kg CO2
equivalent per kg H2, encompassing all stages from water
treatment to compression. This standardization is vital for
fostering trust and clarity within the industry.