To burn or not to burn?

Carbon dioxide is a gas which is always produced when hydrocarbons are burned. Carbon dioxide has dangerous effects to our atmosphere and environment as it behaves like a glass- it traps infra-red radiation so that the Earth’s atmosphere heats up. This is crucial for life, without this effect caused by greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to sustain life. Methane and water are more effective than CO2 at this, but only CO2’s levels have been changing. CO2’s levels have been increasing because of the use of fossil fuels to fuel industrial plants.
The majority of scientists believe that the rise of CO2 is responsible for the rise of the Earth’s temperature. However- it is argued that Sun Spots: magnetic zones that appear on the Sun as dark spots and appear to increase the Sun’s energy output, are driving the change in our climate. One theory is that the increasing temperatures, a result of Sun Spot activity, could be causing an increase in the level of carbon dioxide by driving out CO2 from the sea into the atmosphere.
Whilst it is being disputed which is causing the increase in temperature, scientists have advised to reduce our carbon dioxide output by using alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, or using methods such as wind, wave, solar or nuclear power to provide electricity. Also, using more carbon neutral methods- or trying to convert activities into more carbon neutral has been advised.

Carbon monoxide is similar to CO2, in which it is produced when hydrocarbons are burnt, but CO is produced by incomplete combustion. This usually occurs when there is a limited supply of oxygen, for example- when longer-chain hydrocarbons are being burnt as they require more oxygen in comparison to shorter chains.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous. Not only is it poisonous, but it is almost undetectable. It is invisible and has little or no scent. There are many deaths around the country per year from old boilers releasing CO into the home and going undetected. There are less deaths nowadays as we are aware of CO and precautions are now made to prevent it being released- for example replacing old boilers.
Also, unburnt hydrocarbons may enter the atmosphere as significant greenhouse gases. They contribute to photochemical smog- which can cause a variety of health problems. AN example of where they can come from is car exhausts.
Solutions to dealing with CO not only include replacing dangerous equipment, but also catalytic converters in exhaust systems. A catalytic converter is a honeycomb made of ceramic material coated with platinum and rhodium metals- these are the catalysts. The honeycomb shape provides enormous surface area. As the polluting gases pass over the catalysts, the dangerous chemicals react with each other to form less harmful products.
2CO (g) + 2NO (g) N2 (g) + 2CO2 (g)
Hydrocarbons + nitrogen oxide nitrogen + carbon dioxide + water
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