Fuel gases are gaseous fuels that can be burned to produce heat energy. Two common types of fuel gases are Producer Gas and Water Gas. They are widely used in industries and for heating purposes.

Producer gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen (N₂) obtained by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels like coal or red hot coke with a limited supply of air in a furnace.

The gas is prepared in a device called a producer. The steps involved are:

1. Step 1: Coke or coal is packed in the producer.
2. Step 2: A limited supply of air is passed over the fuel. The partial combustion of carbon occurs, producing carbon monoxide:

C + ½ O₂ → CO

3. Step 3: The hot gases are then collected and cooled before use.

• It is a colorless gas with a slightly smoky smell.
• Contains about 25% carbon monoxide and 75% nitrogen.
• Has a low calorific value
• Non-explosive and cannot be stored for long periods.

• Used as fuel in furnaces and industrial heating.
• Used in gas engines for generating mechanical power.
• Used for welding and cutting metals in some cases.

Water gas is a mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) produced by passing steam over white-hot coke or coal. It is an important fuel gas with higher calorific value than producer gas.

Water gas is prepared in a generator using the following steps:

1. Step 1: white-hot coke or coal is placed in the generator.
2. Step 2: Steam is passed over the hot carbon, producing water gas by the reaction:

C + H₂O → CO + H₂

3. Step 3: The hot gas is collected, sometimes enriched with hydrocarbon vapors to increase its calorific value.

• It is a colorless gas and highly combustible.
• Contains about equal volumes of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
• Has a high calorific value
• Cannot be stored safely for long periods due to the presence of CO.

• Used as a fuel in industrial furnaces and boilers.
• Used for gas welding and cutting metals.
• Used in the chemical industry as a raw material for producing ammonia, methanol, and other chemicals.