Calculate the volume of oxygen and air required to burn 10 kg of coal, the mass fraction of carbon in which is 90%.

The coal combustion reaction is described by the following chemical reaction equation:

C + O2 = CO2;

The combustion of one mole of coal requires one mole of oxygen.

Let’s determine the amount of carbon.

Pure carbon mass:

m C = 10,000 x 0.9 = 9,000 grams;

The molar mass of carbon is 12 grams / mol.

The amount of carbon substance will be:

N C = 9,000 / 12 = 750 mol;

The same number of moles of oxygen will be required.

Let’s find the volume of oxygen.

Under normal conditions, one mole of ideal gas takes up a volume of 22.4 liters.

750 mol of oxygen will occupy the volume V O2 = 750 x 22.4 = 16 800 liters;

The oxygen content in the air by volume is 20.95%;

Accordingly, the required volume of air will be a volume equal to 16 800 / 0.2095 = 80 191 liters;