Thorium90:
This is a good discussion of some basic stoichiometric principles. Are you also using a spreadsheet to do your calculations (which I highly recommend for any stoichiometric exercise)? If so, could you and the OP both submit your spreadsheets to follow the stoichiometric logic and reasoning to arrive at the results?
You are absolutely correct in stating that a basic priority is to establish the moisture in the combustion air (atmospheric humidity). This is a prerequisite before beginning any combustion calculation. Also, I would alert all readers that although I am a fan of “The Engineering Toolbox”, there is a lot to be wary of and care to be taken when using their submitted data. Like many internet websites, Engineering Toolbox at times has information that tends to be suspicious and care and checking should be used. For example, please note that what I assume we engineers are looking at in the cited hyperlink is a group of curves showing the amount of air held in ATMOSPHERIC air at SEA LEVEL. The cited curves all state that the data is for “Air moisture holding capacity” – it is never stated or identified at WHAT conditions or where. This may – or may not – be a trivial point. We have to “trust” and make “assumptions” of the data. I would recommend (from prior experience) that young engineers check this type of data with other sources when relying on serious calculations. I learned many years ago not to simply "trust" or make assumptions on serious calculations.
This stoichiometric problem seems to be a student’s assigned homework. That’s OK, but if so then it should have been posted in the Student Forum. The logic seems to be a reiterative type of calculation:
We are given:
- The Fuel composition (in mol %) and rate of combustion;
- The partial flue gas composition (in mass/flue gas volume) and the amount of excess air fed to the combustion.
From the above basic data, one can calculate the combustion process to yield the products, using 20% excess air. That is why we have to identify the combustion air and its water content – in order to have a way to calculate the total composition of the flue gas (which has water vapor in it). Additionally, we have to allow for the amount of air to produce the NOX and CO and take that into consideration. We only know the amount of NOX and CO from the flue gas analysis and so must reiterate between that analysis and the amount of combustion air supplied to yield the total flue analysis. Does anyone have a different idea on the algorithm to be established for the required spreadsheet?