Propane can be turned into hydrogen by the two-step reforming process. In the first step, propane and water react to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen: C3H8 (g) + 3H2O (g) →3CO (g) + 7H2 (g) In the second step, carbon monoxide and water react to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide: CO (g) + H2O (g) →H2 (g) + CO2 (g) Write the net chemical equation for the production of hydrogen from propane and water. Be sure your equation is balanced.

The net chemical equation is: 6 H2O (g) + C3H8 (g) → 10 H2 (g) + 3 CO2 (g)

Explanation:

First equation:

The reactants propane and water react to form the products CO and H2

C3H8 (g) + 3H2O (g) → 3CO (g) + 7H2 (g)

Second equation:

The products CO and H2 will react

CO (g) + H2O (g) → H2 (g) + CO2 (g)

We should multiply the equation by 3 (to equal the products of the first equation)

3CO (g) + 3H2O (g) → 3H2 (g) + 3CO2 (g)

Add the second to the first equation:

C3H8 (g) + 3 H2O (g) + 3 CO (g) + 3 H2O (g) → 3 H2 (g) + 3CO2 (g) + 3 CO (g) + 7 H2 (g)

The net chemical equation is: 6 H2O (g) + C3H8 (g) → 10 H2 (g) + 3 CO2 (g)