Question

Calorific value of producer gas is low because of:

• A. high percent of $N_2$
• B. low percent of $C{O}_2$
• C. high percent of $C{O}_2$
• D. low percent of $N_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is A high percent of $N_2$

The concentration of carbon monoxide in the 'ideal' producer gas was considered to be $34.7\%$ carbon monoxide and $65.3\%$ nitrogen. There is thus a very high concentration of nitrogen. Since nitrogen is an incombustible gas, it only adds to the volume but does not give any extra heat on combustion. Hence, due to the presence of high concentrations of nitrogen, the amount of energy per unit volume decreases.