Combustion, of alcohols

Fig. 1. The effect of temperature on (a) Pmaxi the maximum rate of oxidation in torr. min ib) the reciprocal of 0, the induction period in minutes for combustion of alcohols [18]. Reactant concentrations correspond to an alcohol pressure of 40 torr and an oxygen pressure of 200 torr at 323 C., Ethanol o, propanol , butanol pentanol.

Fig. 2. The influence of temperature on 6, the induction period in minutes, and Pmax maximum rate of pressure change in torr. min" of combustion of alcohols [26]. Alcohol pressure (at 295 °C), 40 torr oxygen pressure (at 295 °C) 200 torr. O, n-butanol , iso-butanol , sec-butanol x, fcrf-butanol.

This is a very exciting demonstration and can be used to show the products of combustion of alcohols, the variation in combustion of a series of alcohols and the energy stored in a small sample of an alcohol/oxygen mixture. 

In an undated memoir published in 1787 Lavoisier describes the combustion of alcohol and olive oil in a small weighed lamp, and of a wax candle, in air in a large bell-jar over mercury, oxygen being added from time to time from a second bell-jar. The volume of carbon dioxide formed was absorbed by caustic potash solution (Fig. 44). Alcohol could not be burnt in pure oxygen. 

The complete combustion of alcohols forms carbon dioxide and water. 

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