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Difficulty: MediumChemistry in Daily Life and Industrial Applications

In chemical industry and metallurgy, gaseous fuels synthesized from carbonaceous feedstocks are categorized based on their manufacturing process and chemical composition. Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes Water Gas from Producer Gas?

  1. A
    Water gas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide obtained through the anaerobic decomposition of organic biomass, whereas producer gas is pure hydrogen obtained by the commercial electrolysis of acidified water.
  2. Water gas is an industrial fuel mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (CO+H2\text{CO} + \text{H}_2) produced by passing steam over red-hot coke, whereas producer gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen (CO+N2\text{CO} + \text{N}_2) produced by passing air over incandescent coke.Answer
  3. C
    Water gas consists of pressurized liquefied propane and butane used in domestic heating, whereas producer gas consists of compressed natural gas blended with organosulfur odorants.
  4. D
    Water gas is carbon dioxide gas dissolved in an aqueous solution under high pressure, whereas producer gas is an unrefined flue byproduct consisting of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Answer

Water gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (CO+H2\text{CO} + \text{H}_2) produced by passing steam over red-hot coke, whereas producer gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen (CO+N2\text{CO} + \text{N}_2) produced by passing air over incandescent coke.
The correct option accurately outlines the chemical definitions of both fuel gases. Water gas is prepared industrially by blowing steam through a bed of red-hot carbon/coke (C+H2O→CO+H2\text{C} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CO} + \text{H}_2), yielding carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Producer gas is produced when air is passed over incandescent carbon (2C+O2+4N2→2CO+4N22\text{C} + \text{O}_2 + 4\text{N}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{CO} + 4\text{N}_2), resulting in a fuel gas dominated by carbon monoxide and atmospheric nitrogen.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the industrial synthesis and composition of Water Gas (Synthesis Gas / Syngas)
Water gas is manufactured by passing superheated steam over red-hot incandescent coke at approximately 1000∘C1000^\circ\text{C} according to the endothermic reaction: C(s)+H2O(g)→CO(g)+H2(g)\text{C(s)} + \text{H}_2\text{O(g)} \rightarrow \text{CO(g)} + \text{H}_2\text{(g)}. Its major combustible constituents are carbon monoxide and hydrogen in approximately equimolar proportion.
Establishing the precise chemical equation confirms that water gas consists essentially of CO\text{CO} and H2\text{H}_2.
2
Identify the industrial synthesis and composition of Producer Gas
Producer gas is manufactured by blowing a controlled stream of dry air over incandescent coke or coal in a furnace producer: 2C(s)+O2(g)+4N2(g)→2CO(g)+4N2(g)2\text{C(s)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)} + 4\text{N}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{CO(g)} + 4\text{N}_2\text{(g)}. Because atmospheric air contains nearly 78%78\% nitrogen by volume, the resulting gas consists mainly of combustible carbon monoxide (∼30%\sim 30\%) and non-combustible nitrogen gas (∼60%\sim 60\%).
Air-blown gasification introduces atmospheric nitrogen, differentiating producer gas from steam-blown water gas.
3
Evaluate the choices to select the accurate distinction
The option defining water gas as CO+H2\text{CO} + \text{H}_2 (from steam and coke) and producer gas as CO+N2\text{CO} + \text{N}_2 (from air and coke) provides the exact chemical and technological distinction.
Matches established chemical metallurgy and industrial gas standards tested in State PSC examinations.

Key Concept

Industrial Fuel Gases: Composition and Synthesis of Water Gas vs Producer Gas
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Chemistry in Daily Life and Industrial Applications

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