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 Stoichiometric Combustion: Perfect Fuel Combustion for Gas or Oil Burners
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Here, courtesy of aerospace engineer Herman Vogel, we provide a definition of Stoichiometric Combustion and we explain and give formulas for Theoretical Fuel to Air Ratios for Complete Combustion (Stoichiometric Combustion). Stoichiometric Combustion discusses theoretical fuel to air ratios for hydrocarbon fuels (kerosene, jet fuel, heating oil, LP gas, etc) in which a fuel is burned completely, producing only carbon dioxide and water, with no other byproducts. Our sketch (page top) shows how an oil burner gun atomizes and sprays heating oil into the combustion chamber - Audel Oil Burner Guide
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Theoretical Fuel to Air Ratios for Complete Combustion (Stoichiometric Combustion)
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Herman Vogel, Aerospace Engineer
In brief: Stoichiometric combustion is by thermodynamic definition the theoretical combustion of every drop of fuel when mixed with the correct amount of air (oxygen) to yield exhaust products of only CO2 and H2O.
Stoichiometric combustion is by thermodynamic definition the theoretical combustion of every drop of fuel when mixed with the correct amount of air (a basic mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gases) to yield exhaust products of only CO2 and H2O. However, such combustion is ideal and in reality doesn't occur since the burning in furnaces, automobiles and jet-engines is always incomplete and less than 100% due to engineering design limitations.
Therefore while our two ideal exhaust products are relatively benign, non-stoichiometric combustion rules in the real world. This results in burning rich, as no matter how much extra air we cleverly add, it is never able to chemically react with all the fuel. Hence the resultant unburned fuel gets exposed to the high combustion temperatures and chemically reacts to form additional exhaust products of CO (Carbon Monoxide) and NO (Nitric Oxide), which can be dangerous exhaust products to both people and the environment.
 Stoichiometric combustion has a chemical reaction equation attached to it:
C12H26(l) + 37/2 O2(g) + 2(37) N2(g) → 12 CO2(g) + 13 H2(g) + 2(37) N2(g)
For the above chemical reaction to be complete, both sides of the equation (about the arrow) must have its chemical elements matched. So, if the left-side has 12 Carbon molecules, then the right-side must also have 12.
Note that we are using air which contains a weighted ratio of N2/O2 = 2x37 / (37/2) = 4 (100% air = 80% N2 + 20% O2), or four times as much Nitrogen exists in a given volume of air as does Oxygen.
Also, the above chemical reaction equation represents kerosene fuel which is considered a Dodecanese (liquid) hydrocarbon having the chemical formula C12H26.
That means it contains a molecular composition of 12-carbon atoms and 26-hydrogen atoms and is a liquid at room temperature.
Kerosene is the main constituent of Jet Propulsion (JP) fuels, where other additives include various blends of differently distilled crude oils.
The fuel to air ratio by chemical weight of the above relationship is:
 FAR = [mf_C12H26 / ma_O2+N2] = (12*12.011+26*1.008)/(37/2*32+2*37*28.014) = 0.064 or 6.4%
This says that for complete combustion of typical hydrocarbon fuels, and in particular kerosene, we need 6.4 lbs. of fuel for every 100 lbs. of air that we burn. Clearly, on a relative basis, we need a lot of air to completely burn our small amount of fuel.
The beauty of the above chemical equation is that not only does it define the required fuel-to-air ratio, but it also provides us with:
- The expectant adiabatic (pure, no losses in heat) flame temperature released by this chemical reaction as based on chemical heats of formation (4,310 R), and
- The heating value released per pound of kerosene (18,950 BTU/lbs.) as based on its chemical formulation plus heat of formation.
Technical Note: The temperature above is in units of R (Rankin) not (F). If it were F (farenheit) we have 4,310R - 460R = 3,850F.
What Does Complete Combustion (Stoichiometric Combustion) Mean to the Heating System Designer?
The above three pieces of information helps the furnace designer to properly size combustion chambers and their air-fans, and to burn the correct amount of fuel to keep a home comfortable. It also helps the designer to choose the appropriate materials to avoid furnace melt-down. Note that the theoretical adiabatic flame temperature is very high.
While some of this temperature is reduced due to furnace heat losses, flame temperatures are generally controlled by intentionally burning lean. This dramatically reduces the theoretical flame temperature based on the lean chemistry of combustion, plus additional temperature reductions are realized by diluting high temperatures using the extra cold air entering the combustion chamber.
So, the furnace designer has a whole arsenal of possibilities to work with in designing today's reliable fuel oil furnaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about complete combustion of natural gas, LP gas, or home heating oil: the definition & explanation of stoichiometric combustion
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Thanks to aerospace engineer Herman Vogel, July 2010,
for providing this explanation of complete combustion of fossil fuels and the details as well as the significance (to non-engineers) of Stoichiometric Combustion
- Audels Oil Burner Guide, Installation, Servicing, Repairing, Frank D. Graham, 1940's edition (obsolete). Updated versions of this guide are available in various editions, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1965, 1967, and at prices from around $3.00 to nearly $70.00 - useful for simple, clear, but not current, explanation of how heating equipment works. The original retail price was $1.00. Used copies are available at Amazon.com
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
- DUST, HVAC CONTAMINATION STUDY An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
- Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
- Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
- Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
- Inspection Procedures for Oil-Fired Heating Systems Detailed step by step approaches for inspecting complex systems]
- Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
- Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
- Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
- Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notices
- Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler/gas valve CPSC recall/repair
- Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
- National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
- The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
- Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
- The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
- Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
- "Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- "Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- "Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
- Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
- Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
- Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
- The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
- Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
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