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Engineering ToolBox > Fuels and Higher Calorific Values
The calorific value of a fuel is the quantity of heat produced by its combustion - at constant pressure and under a conditions known as " normal " of temperature and pressure (i.e. to 0oC and under a pressure of 1,013 mbar).
The combustion of a fuel product generates water vapor. Certain techniques are used to recover the quantity of heat contained in this water vapor by condensing it.
The Higher Calorific Value (or Gross Calorific Value - GCV) supposes 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) supposes that the products of combustion contains the water vapor. The heat contained in the water vapor is not recovered.
| Fuel | Higher Calorific Value (Gross Calorific Value - GCV) | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |