Gas Volume Calculations

Question

Indoor space dimensions:

Length: 10 m; width: 8 m; height: 4 m.

Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration: 45 ppm. 1 m3 =1,000 liters;

MW(CO) : 28 g/mol Calculate (only to one decimal):

Find:

1. Total volume of CO in indoor space (liters)

2. Number of CO moles

3. Mass of CO (grams)

4. Number of CO molecules

5. Describe potential causes of elevated CO concentration, associated dangers, and mitigation alternatives.

Answer 1

(1). Volume = L x W x H = 10 m x 8 m x 4 m = 320 m³ x 1000 L/1 m³ = 320,000 L = 3.2x10⁵ L

(2). 45 ppm = 45 mg CO/L x 320,000 L x 1 g/1000 mg x 1 mol CO/28 g CO = 514 moles CO

(3). mass of CO = 514 moles CO x 28 g CO/mol CO = 14,400 g CO = 1.44x10⁴ g

(4). 514 moles CO x 6.02x10²³ molecules/mole = 3.1x10²⁶ molecules

(5). Look it up. Not exactly under the category of chemistry.