In this chapter, we used a simplified equation for the combustion of gasoline. But the products generated in the operation of real automobile engines include various oxides of nitrogen, and it is desirable to remove these compounds from the exhaust stream rather than release them into the atmosphere. Currently, this is done by the catalytic converter, but other technologies are being explored. One possible method involves the use of isocyanic acid, HNCO, which reacts with NO₂ to produce N₂, CO₂, and H₂O, as shown in the equation below:

What mass of HNCO would be required to react completely with the estimated 1.0 × 10¹⁰ kg of NO₂ produced each year by U.S. automobiles? How might the fact that the reaction above produces CO₂ affect its feasibility for this application?

Transcribed Image Text:

8 HNCO + 6 NO₂ →7 N₂ + 8 CO₂ + 4H₂O