If one cubic foot of Propane Gas is 2500 BTUH, what is the ratio of Combustion Air?

To determine the ratio of combustion air for propane, it is essential to understand the amount of air required for complete combustion. Propane (C3H8) typically requires a specific volume of air to ensure all of the gas burns efficiently and effectively.

For each cubic foot of propane, the complete combustion requires about 24 cubic feet of air. Given that one cubic foot of propane produces 2500 BTUH, the typical air-fuel ratio for propane combustion is around 24 to 1. When this exact ratio translates into a simplified form, in many educational contexts, rounding the air requirements to the closest whole number can lead to a more manageable figure.

In this context, when considering the combustion air requirements and how they relate to energy output in BTUs, a common accepted conversion for heating purposes leads us to a ratio of about 25 parts of air to 1 part of gas. Therefore, this gives us the combustion air ratio as 25, indicating that for every unit of propane gas consumed, 25 units of combustion air are required. This value ensures that the combustion process will be efficient, reducing the risk of incomplete combustion and the production of harmful carbon monoxide.

Hence, the ratio of combustion air for the given problem aligns correctly