When they say "carbon" they really mean carbon dioxide, CO2. Hence, the weight of the "carbon" emissions exceeds the weight of the fuel, since the fuel is a mixture of mostly carbon and hydrogen with a molecular weight of 12 for the carbon and 1 for the hydrogen atoms and oxygen has a molecular weight of 16. So, the short chain hydrocarbons in gas have a lower molecular weight than CO2, which has a molecular weight of 44. Obviously, the weight of carbon emissions is calculated using molecular weight. Stuart BS Chemistry, UofW. Gave it up 35 years ago. Original message: According to http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/transport/fuelguide/environment.ht ml, regular gas emits 2.3 kg of carbon per liter burned and diesel emits 2.7 kg of carbon per liter. (Don't ask me how the weight of the emissions can be greater than the weight of the fuel burned, it doesn't make sense to me either!) Joy |
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