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From: moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Steam vs. carbon buildup
Message-ID: <1644@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 8-Dec-85 21:16:44 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.1644
Posted: Sun Dec  8 21:16:44 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Dec-85 09:01:49 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 12


>B.T.W. I can't really figure out why the steam would dislodge the carbon
>buildup: chemically the carbon is very inert.  What is the mechanism?
>Mechanical shock?
 
No, hot carbon will react with water, C + H2O -> CO + H2 (carbon monoxide
and hydrogen).  This process used to be used commercially by adding water
to hot coal to produce "water gas" (impure carbon monoxide and hydrogen) which
was used as fuel for the gaslight street lights of the past.  

-Mike Moroney
..decwrl!rhea!jon!moroney