A gas stream produced as a by-product of a petroleum processing operation is to be used as a fuel in a small electric generation facility. The gas composition, in volume %, is:
CH4 (methane) 82%, C2H6 (ethane) 18%
The gas flow rate is 200 standard liters per minute (0oC definition).
1. Determine the air feed rate for a stoichiometric feed ratio.
2. The actual combustion is to take place with 15% excess air. Determine the composition (vol%) and flowrate (std L /min) of the gases leaving the burner if 95% of the fuel is completely consumed and the product gas contains no CO (all carbon in the fuel which reacts forms CO2). Apply the 95% to each component of the fuel.
3. If the electrical generation process is 30% efficient, determine the maximum electrical current and power that can be generated at a voltage of 240 volts. Fuel Energy Values: Methane: 900 kJ/mol, Ethane: 1560 kJ/mol