Question

Which one of the following is the correct composition of water gas?
A. ${\text{CO + C}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}$
B. ${\text{CO + }}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$
C. ${\text{CO + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}$
D. ${\text{CO + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ + }}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Water gas is also known as synthesis gas, blue gas. It is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It can also be regarded as syngas. Water gas has several names from which it can be recognized.

Complete step by step answer:
Gas molecules collide with each other and with the wall of the container when they are in random motion. Water gas is in general a fuel gas that consists mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is made by passing steam over incandescent coke. To oxidize the carbon monoxide water gas shift reaction is used that results in the production of additional hydrogen resulting in water gas.
When the steam is passed over a red-hot carbon fuel such as coke, it results in the production of syngas or synthesis gas.
The reaction equation is:
${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + C}} \to {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ + CO}}$
The reaction is basically endothermic, so in order to keep the reaction going on the fuel must be re-heated continuously.
The water-gas shift reaction is the reaction of carbon monoxide and water vapors to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
So, water gas is a composition of ${\text{CO + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}$ (carbon monoxide + hydrogen). Hence, option C is correct.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Water gas has number of uses:
1. It is used to remove carbon monoxide from fuel cell applications
2. It can also be used to produce fuel gas.
3. To gain pure hydrogen for synthesis of ammonia, water gas is used.

Note:
Water gas actually requires careful handling as it is highly flammable and it also involves the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a reaction caused by excessive breathing in an atmosphere containing carbon monoxide.