Investigating the combustion of alcohols
Introduction:
Combustion is a process of rapid oxidation of a substance with simultaneous evolution of heat and, usually, light. Alcohol is a term applied to a group of chemical compounds that contain the OH group (oxygen and hydrogen). Alcohols have one, two or three hydroxyl, -OH, groups attached to their molecules and are thus classified as monohydric, dihydric, or trihydric, respectively. Methanol and ethanol are monohydric alcohols. Alcohols are further classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, according to whether one, two, or three other carbon atoms are bound to the carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is bound. Alcohols are characterized by many common reactions, the most important of which is the reaction with acids to form substances called esters, which are comparative to inorganic salts. Alcohols are normal by-products of digestion and chemical processes within cells, and are found in the tissues and fluids of animals and plants.
Methanol is the simplest of all alcohols. It was formerly made by the destructive distillation of wood, however, almost all methanol produced today is synthetic, made from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Methanol is extremely poisonous and has a relative density of 0.7915 at 20°C.
Ethanol is a colourless liquid with a burning taste and characteristic, agreeable odour. Ethanol is the alcohol in drinks like beer and wine. It is also used in thermometers below -38°C because mercury, which is also often used in thermometers, freezes at this point. Because of it's low freezing point it is used as an anti-freeze in car radiators. Ethanol is normally concentrated by distillation of dilute solutions. Ethanol melts at -114.1° C, boils at 78.5° C, and has a relative density of 0.789 at 20° C.
Higher alcohols, those of greater molecular weight than ethanol, have many specific and general uses. Propanol is used extensively as a rubbing alcohol, Butanol is a base for perfumes and fixatives, and others are important flavouring agents and perfumes.
Introduction:
Combustion is a process of rapid oxidation of a substance with simultaneous evolution of heat and, usually, light. Alcohol is a term applied to a group of chemical compounds that contain the OH group (oxygen and hydrogen). Alcohols have one, two or three hydroxyl, -OH, groups attached to their molecules and are thus classified as monohydric, dihydric, or trihydric, respectively. Methanol and ethanol are monohydric alcohols. Alcohols are further classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, according to whether one, two, or three other carbon atoms are bound to the carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is bound. Alcohols are characterized by many common reactions, the most important of which is the reaction with acids to form substances called esters, which are comparative to inorganic salts. Alcohols are normal by-products of digestion and chemical processes within cells, and are found in the tissues and fluids of animals and plants.
Methanol is the simplest of all alcohols. It was formerly made by the destructive distillation of wood, however, almost all methanol produced today is synthetic, made from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Methanol is extremely poisonous and has a relative density of 0.7915 at 20°C.
Ethanol is a colourless liquid with a burning taste and characteristic, agreeable odour. Ethanol is the alcohol in drinks like beer and wine. It is also used in thermometers below -38°C because mercury, which is also often used in thermometers, freezes at this point. Because of it's low freezing point it is used as an anti-freeze in car radiators. Ethanol is normally concentrated by distillation of dilute solutions. Ethanol melts at -114.1° C, boils at 78.5° C, and has a relative density of 0.789 at 20° C.
Higher alcohols, those of greater molecular weight than ethanol, have many specific and general uses. Propanol is used extensively as a rubbing alcohol, Butanol is a base for perfumes and fixatives, and others are important flavouring agents and perfumes.
