Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the gas produced in the greatest quantity by combustion processes. The aim of any combustion process is to combine all the available carbon with atmospheric oxygen (O2) to release the maximum available energy, and this produces carbon dioxide gas.
Carbon dioxide is an inert gas that is present in the atmosphere as part of the earth’s natural carbon cycle. However, increasing CO2 levels enhances the ‘greenhouse effect’ and increases the risk of long-term climate change. There are now global agreements in place to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The amount of carbon dioxide produced depends on the carbon content of the fuel concerned and the rate at which that fuel is used. Only by burning less carbon can carbon dioxide output be reduced. Any technique that improves the efficiency with which fuel is used reduces the level of emissions per unit of heat or power output.
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