CHM290 - Combustion Chemistry

Subject Title
Combustion Chemistry

Subject Description
This course develops an understanding of the chemistry of combustion. The combustion process and the fire characteristics of gaseous, liquid and solid combustibles will be examined in detail.

Credit Status
One college course credit.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Use organic chemistry to differentiate between aliphatic and aromatic compounds; understand and know the aliphatic homologous series; name and draw branched chains of aliphatic compounds; name and draw the functional groups and some of their members; name and draw basic aromatic benzene-derived compounds;
2. Understand how fire relates to fire protection, the fire tetrahedron, and factors that affect the combustion of materials;
3. Understand that combustion is an oxidation-reduction reaction; the differences between flaming and non-flaming combustion; chemical mechanisms of combustion and how combustion starts, spreads and can be terminated;
4. Calculate stoichiometric oxygen-fuel ratios and air-fuel ratios for various hydrocarbons from balanced chemical equations;
5. Calculate mass loss rates and heat release rates from various fuels;
6. Calculate the heat absorbed by water as it turns to steam in the fighting of a fire with water;
7. Explain the mechanics of gaseous combustion, the parameters of various ignition types, and flammability limits of various flammable gases;
8. Calculate the stoichiometric concentration by percentage of fuel-air ratios with various hydrocarbon fuels;
9. Calculate the radiant heat release and radiant flux for various hydrocarbon fuels;
10. Calculate the vapour densities of various gases;
11. Identify the various types of liquid fires, the difference between flash point and fire point, and the conditions for the combustion of liquids, BLEVE, and Boilover;
12. Calculate the vapour concentration of various vapours from liquid hydrocarbons;
13. Calculate the mass burning rates for various combustible liquids;
14. Describe the combustion of solid fuels, pyrolysis, gasification, heat loss from surfaces, heat release and flame spread rates, combustion of synthetic materials, fire retardants, metals.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.