The calorific value of a fuel
The calorific value of a fuel is the
quantity of heat produced by its combustion - at constant pressure and under
"normal" conditions (i.e. to 0oC and under a
pressure of 1,013 mbar).
The combustion process generates water vapor and certain techniques may be used
to recover the quantity of heat contained in this water vapor by condensing it.
The Higher Calorific Value (or
Gross Calorific Value - GCV) suppose that the water of combustion is entirely
condensed and that the heat contained in the water vapor is recovered.
The Lower Calorific Value (or Net Calorific Value - NCV) suppose that
the products of combustion contains the water vapor and that the heat in the
water vapor is not recovered.
|
Fuel |
Higher
Calorific Value |
|
|
kJ/kg |
Btu/lb |
|
|
Acetone |
29,000 |
|
|
Alcohol, 96% |
30,000 |
|
|
Anthracite |
32,500 - 34,000 |
14,000 - 14,500 |
|
Bituminous coal |
17,000 - 23,250 |
7,300 - 10,000 |
|
Butane |
49,510 |
20,900 |
|
Carbon |
34,080 |
|
|
Charcoal |
29,600 |
12,800 |
|
Coal |
15,000 - 27,000 |
8,000 - 14,000 |
|
Coke |
28,000 - 31,000 |
12,000 - 13,500 |
|
Diesel |
44,800 |
19,300 |
|
Ethanol |
29,700 |
12,800 |
|
Ether |
43,000 |
|
|
Gasoline |
47,300 |
20,400 |
|
Glycerin |
19,000 |
|
|
Hydrogen |
141,790 |
61,000 |
|
Lignite |
16,300 |
7,000 |
|
Methane |
55,530 |
|
|
Oils, vegetable |
39,000 - 48,000 |
|
|
Peat |
13,800 - 20,500 |
5,500 - 8,800 |
|
Petrol |
48,000 |
|
|
Petroleum |
43,000 |
|
|
Propane |
50,350 |
|
|
Semi anthracite |
26,700 - 32,500 |
11,500 - 14,000 |
|
Sulfur |
9,200 |
|
|
Tar |
36,000 |
|
|
Turpentine |
44,000 |
|
|
Wood (dry) |
14,400 - 17,400 |
6,200 - 7,500 |
|
kJ/m3 |
Btu/ft3 |
|
|
Acetylene |
56,000 |
|
|
Butane C4H10 |
133,000 |
|
|
Hydrogen |
13,000 |
|
|
Natural gas |
43,000 |
|
|
Methane CH4 |
39,820 |
|
|
Propane C3H8 |
101,000 |
|
|
Town gas |
18,000 |
|
|
kJ/l |
Btu/gal |
|
|
Gas oil |
38,000 |
164,000 |
|
Heavy fuel oil |
41,200 |
177,000 |
|
Kerosene |
35,000 |
154,000 |