Number of independent reaction equations
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20. There are five species in a gas furnace: C(s), H2(g), H2O(g), CO(g), and CO2(g). The reactions are as follows: (1) CO2(g) + C(s) = 2CO(g) (2) H2O(g) + C(s) = H2(g) + CO(g) (3) CO2(g) + H2(g) = H2O(g) + CO(g). The number of independent reaction equations is: A 5 B 4 C 3 D 2? Which one to choose?
There’s no need to think about it – it’s either three or two. Considering the traps, there are three equations on the surface, but one is inevitably missing.
(1) CO2(g) + C(s) = 2CO(g) (2) H2O(g) + C(s) = H2(g) + CO(g) (3) CO2(g) + H2(g) = H2O(g) + CO(g) When calculating the material balance and energy balance: From equation 2, we have C(s) = H2(g) + CO(g) – H2O(g); substituting this into equation (1) yields equation (3). Therefore, out of these 3 equations, only 2 are independent. Is this approach right?