incomplete vs Complete Combustion reaction
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incomplete vs Complete Combustion reaction
I heard Dr. Lavelle say the combustion of butane is an incomplete combustion. What is the difference between incomplete and complete combustion?
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Re: incomplete vs Complete Combustion reaction
I think he meant the combustion of butane CAN be incomplete.
In a complete combustion reaction, you have all the oxygen you need to use all the butane.
In an incomplete combustion reaction, you don't have enough oxygen. I think he mentioned this can lead to different products like carbon monoxide (CO) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In a complete combustion reaction, you have all the oxygen you need to use all the butane.
In an incomplete combustion reaction, you don't have enough oxygen. I think he mentioned this can lead to different products like carbon monoxide (CO) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2).
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Re: incomplete vs Complete Combustion reaction
In a complete combustion, there is a sufficient supply of oxygen to burn the hydrocarbon and it will only produce water and carbon dioxide. In an incomplete combustion, there is an insufficient amount of oxygen and part of the carbon is not completely oxidized, leading to the formation of water, carbon monoxide and/or carbon. Therefore, the combustion of butane can be complete or incomplete depending on the availability of oxygen.
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Re: incomplete vs Complete Combustion reaction
An incomplete combustion reaction is where the products include Carbon and or Carbon Monoxide because there is not enough oxygen to "burn", whereas a complete combustion reaction is where only carbon dioxide and water are produced.
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