The operation of a conventional internal combustion engine is based on the reaction of fuel combustion in oxygen

The operation of a conventional internal combustion engine is based on the reaction of fuel combustion in oxygen in the air, the gaseous products of which, expanding, push the piston. Suggest how to modify the device of the future vehicle with an internal combustion engine for a planet with a nitrogen-methane atmosphere, with an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, or an atmosphere of chlorine and argon. What substances will react, how will they be supplied, how efficient will the engine be and how justified will its use be?

To answer, first of all, it is necessary to select such reactions, which as a result will give gaseous substances that increase the volume of the system. Let us consider the options for the course of reactions in the proposed atmospheres.

Nitrogen-methane atmosphere
Nitrogen is inert; therefore, only methane is reactive in such an atmosphere. Consider the possible reactions of methane:

1. CH4 + Br2 = CH3Br + HBr, the result is not functional, since the volume has not changed, and the interaction occurs in the presence of illumination, which is not acceptable. Consider the combustion option:

2. CH4 + 2O2 = CO2 + 2H2O, the volume of the system increases, and the engine device should be modified so that methane is supplied from one chamber, and oxygen from the other, while the supply of reagents should be strictly dosed to avoid an explosive mixture.

3. CH4 + CO2 → 2CO + 2H2, during the carbon dioxide conversion of methane, synthesis gas is obtained, and the volume doubles.

4. 2CH4 → HC≡CH + 3H2 (t = 1500oC), cracking of methane leads to the required volume increase, but requires high temperatures.

Chlorine and argon atmosphere
In an atmosphere of chlorine and argon, the use of chlorates is possible; attempts are made to use them as solid rocket fuel.

3Cl2 + 6KOH → 5KCl + KClO3 + 3H2O;
2KClO3 = 2KCl + 3O2;
2KClO3 + H2C2O4 = K2CO3 + 2ClO2 + CO2 + H2O.
The use of chlorine as a fuel is not feasible in its pure form, additional costs are required to bring it into chlorate for subsequent decomposition, which does not make sense, all the more, an additional issue arises with the cleaning of the engine from non-volatile products.

The considered options for using the engine in our conditions are not efficient, energy-consuming and do not justify the possibility of application.