--------------
  Date:    Thu, 5 Nov 1998 19:16:34 -0800
  From:    davidson <davidson@SIERRA.NET>
  Subject: Re: Catalytic Heaters.

  Malcolm, Geat input!
  Can you enlighten us as to where CO comes into play in your formulas?
  And is part of the burn product an acidic?
  Thanks, Bill, 90 Westy Syncro
  Lake Tahoe
  ----------

Malcolm is right about the combustion products from hydrocarbons being
PRIMARILY carbon dioxide and water (thus the condensation).

Carbon MONoxide - CO (and LOTS of other side-reaction products) comes
from "incomplete" combustion.  Since no combustion process is perfect,
some CO is inevitably produced.

As far as acidic products are concerned - the answer is well, sorta. :-)

Carbon DIoxide (CO2) itself can dissolve in water to form some weakly
acidic products such as carbonic acid (H2CO3), however I do NOT think
that this can cause any significant corrosion problems inside a vehicle.
As always, I could be wrong about this.

Gee!  Chemistry AND Vanagons - both on ONE list!  WoooHooo! :-)

Marty (Chemistry Geek)

==
Marty Wallace
Department of Chemistry
California State University
Chico, California 95929-0210
530-898-5929 (office)
530-898-5234 (fax)
530-342-6850 (home)
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