Appendix D.

Calculating and Converting Heats of Combustion

Abstract
Fuel consumption and production data is reported to a wide variety of internal and
external entities. Unfortunately, the basis required by these various entities is some-
what different. This has caused confusion on how to convert to the proper reporting
basis or in the worse case caused the reporting of information on the wrong basis.
This appendix outlines procedures for calculating, converting, and reporting fuel
consumption and production values. These values are traditionally reported in units
such as MMBH (gross), MMBH (net), BPD equivalent fuel oil (EFO), etc.
The following sections define the terminology used in reporting fuel usage and
production. Also presented are heats of combustion for typical gas, liquid, and solid
fuels. Finally, recommendations are included for reporting EFO-barrel fuel rates.

Contents Page

D1.0 Calculating Heat of Combustion D-2

D2.0 Converting BTUs To EFO-Barrels D-4
D3.0 References D-5

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Appendix D Utilities Manual

D1.0 Calculating Heat of Combustion

Refineries and chemical plants produce and consume various fuels which include
fuel gas, liquid fuels or petroleum coke. Fuel consumption and production data is
reported to a wide variety of internal and external entities. Unfortunately, the basis
required by these various entities is somewhat different. This has caused confusion
on how to convert to the proper reporting basis or in the worse case caused the
reporting of information on the wrong basis. For example, the DOE requests fuel
data on a Higher Heating Value (HHV) basis whereas Solomon and Associates
requests data on a Lower Heating Value (LHV) basis. The commingling of these
reporting bases has caused difficulty and confusion in the correct reporting of our
fuel production and consumption data. It is very important to understand the
basis required by each entity and consistently use the correct conversion
process to generate the data.
In order to calculate the fuel consumption and production, the quantity and heat of
combustion are required. The traditional unit used for calculating heat of combus-
tion is the Btu. For liquid and solid fuels, heat of combustion is normally calculated
on a Btu/lb basis. For gaseous fuels, Btu/SCF is used.
The heat of combustion can be calculated on either a gross or net heating value
basis. The gross heating value of a fuel, sometimes called the higher heating value
(HHV), includes the heat of condensation of water vapor formed as a combustion
product. The net heating value, also called the lower heating value (LHV), is calcu-
lated assuming all combustion products remain in the vapor state. Therefore, the
ratio of gross to net heating value varies with the elemental hydrogen content of the
fuel. It is very important to quote fuel heating values with their net or gross designa-
tion. Omitting this designation can result in misinterpretation and errors in excess of
15%. In addition, heating values cannot accurately be converted from one basis to
the other without knowledge of the fuel composition (i.e., hydrogen content).
Figures D-5 and D-6 (discussed below) are useful for this purpose. Enclosed are
several figures and tables which can be used for calculating and converting heats of
combustion:
• Figure D-1 — Heats of Combustion for Light Hydrocarbons
• Figure D-2 — Heats of Combustion for Typical Fuel Gases
• Figure D-3 — Heats of Combustion for Typical Liquid Fuels
• Figure D-4 — Heats of Combination for Petroleum Cokes
• Figure D-5 — Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Fuel Gases
• Figure D-6 — Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Fuel Gases (Detail)
• Figure D-7 — Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Liquid Fuels

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Utilities Manual Appendix D

Heats of combustion for light Hydrocarbons are listed in Figure D-1. By plotting the
heat of combustion values versus specific gravity for paraffinic hydrocarbons
(Figure D-2), the following correlations were developed:
HHV (BTU/SCF) = 229.60 + 1321(SG) + 207.97(SG)2 - 57.084(SG)3
LHV (BTU/SCF) = 186.37 + 1219.3(SG) + 206.93(SG)2 - 56.936(SG)3
Some facilities measure the specific gravity of the fuel gas with an analyzer and use
these correlations to estimate the heat of combustion of the gas. This method is only
an estimate because the specific gravity does not measure the exact composition of
the gas and does not account for everything including inerts. However, if most of
the fuel gas is hydrocarbons, this method gives a good approximation of the heat of
combustion.
These equations can be used for locations where the levels of inerts are reasonable
low. The alternative is to determine location specific equations derived using appro-
priate sampling techniques of the fuel gas with measurement of specific gravity and
the corresponding heat of combustion. The only caution here is to be sure to deter-
mine whether the heat of combustion measurement is on a LHV or HHV basis. The
location specific equations are appropriate for fuel systems that contain significant
amounts of inerts that impact the specific gravity measurement but do not add to the
heat of combustion.
Some facilities may have online measurement of the heat of combustion of their fuel
gas streams using an online calorimeter. Since this measurement burns the actual
gas and measures the heat released, it is a very accurate measurement of the heat of
combustion. In this case no equation needs to be used to calculate the heat of
combustion from the specific gravity. Again the only caution here is to be sure to
determine whether the calorimeter output is measuring LHV or HHV.
Some facilities may have online GCs that measure the composition of the fuel gas
and calculate the heat of combustion based on the components of the gas. This is
also a very accurate method of calculating the heat of combustion. Again the only
caution here is to be sure to determine whether the GC output is measuring
LHV or HHV.
Heats of combustion for typical liquid fuels are shown in Figure D-3 as a function
of API gravity. Heats of Combustion for Petroleum Cokes are shown in Figure D-4
as a function of weight percent hydrogen.
HHV= 17,721 + 89.08(API) - 348(API)2 + 0.009518(API)3
LHV= 16,840 + 76.60(API) - 1.230(API)2 + 0.008974(API)3
Where: 0<API<60

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Appendix D Utilities Manual

As discussed earlier, the ratio of gross (HHV) to net (LHV) heating value varies
with the elemental hydrogen content of the fuel. Therefore, correlations can be
developed to convert between gross and net basis by plotting the ratio of HHV/LHV
versus specific gravity for paraffinic hydrocarbons as shown in Figure D-5 and
Figure D-6. When specific gravity is less than 1.6 (Figure D-5), the equation is:
(HHV/LHV) = 1+ 0.0947(SG)-0.2484
When specific gravity is between 0.4 and 1.0 (Figure D-6), the equation is:
(HHV/LHV) = 1+ 0.0938(SG)-0.2531
For liquid fuels, the relationship between fuel API gravity and the ratio of
HHV/LHV is shown in Figure D-7 and the equation is:
(HHV/LHV) = 1.0525 + 4.43x10-4(API) - 2.04x10-6(API)2

D2.0 Converting BTUs To EFO-Barrels

Fuel consumption and production should normally be reported in BTUs with the
appropriate HHV or LHV designation. If fuel consumption data is requested on a
different basis, such as equivalent fuel oil barrels (EFO-BBL), then care must be
taken in making the appropriate conversion. In 1989, Chevron defined the BTU
value of an EFO-BBL of burned fuel as[1]:
1 EFO-BBL = 6.0 MM BTU (HHV)
This conversion factor was revised to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) reporting requirement[2]. The DOE benchmark for plant generated gases is
one gallon of still gas (process gas). They define the higher heating value of a gallon
of still gas as 142,860 BTUs (6.00 MMBTU per barrel). This represents a good
average value for a plant’s fuel gas and provides a good mechanism for defining a
fuel price that is related to crude for internally generated fuels.
The relationship between BTUs and EFO-BBL is shown in Figure D-8. The Corpo-
ration does not recognize EFO-BBL (NET) and there is no direct conversion
between EFO-BBL (GROSS) and (NET).
Sometimes fuel BTUs are converted to EFO-BBLs for other purposes, such as to aid
in volume/component balances around a plant or facility. When BTUs are converted
to EFO-BBLs for this purpose, significant errors can be introduced into the volu-
metric balances if the appropriate conversion factors are not used. The necessary
conversion factors vary widely between Methane and Residual Fuel Oil because of
differences in heats of combustion and density. One conversion factor, like 6.0
MMBTU per EFO, is not adequate if the objective is volumetric balances. In addi-
tion, the net versus gross basis also affects calculated results. Because of these
factors, it is important to fully document the basis and conversion factors for fuel
rates quoted in EFO-BBL for volumetric balances.
As discussed earlier, fuel consumption and production data is reported to a wide
variety of internal and external entities. Unfortunately, the basis required by these
various entities is somewhat different. When reporting EFO-BBLs to the DOE,

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Utilities Manual Appendix D

Chevron accounting should use 1 EFO-BBL = 6.0 MM BTU (HHV). However, if

you are reporting energy data to Solomon and Associates and they request the data
on a LHV basis, you should follow their explicit instructions and use their conver-
sion factors. If you are working with EFO-BBL data from an old report or process
model, you need to determine the conversion factors that were used in order to
convert the data back to BTUs.

D3.0 References
This appendix is a reproduction of a Chevron Research Company report, “Calcu-
lating and Converting Heats of Combustion,” by R. D. Shelton, May 30, 1986.
1. P.R. Larson Memo dated 11/10/88
2. Federal Register/Vol 45, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 27, 1980 / Rules and
Regulations

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Appendix D Utilities Manual

Fig. D-1 Heats of Combustion for Light Hydrocarbons(1)

Gross Heating Values Net Heating Values

Component Btu/Lb Btu/SCF Btu/Lb Btu/SCF

Hydrogen 61,022 323.9 51,552 273.6

Methane 23,884 1,009.7 21,504 909.1

Ethane 22,322 1,768.8 20,417 1,617.8

Propane 21,663 2,517.3 19,931 2,316.1

i-Butane 21,237 3,252.8 19,595 3,001.3

n-Butane 21,298 3,262.2 19,656 3,010.7

i-Pentane 20,956 3,984.4 19,368 3,682.5

n-Pentane 20,992 4,008.4 19,334 3,706.5

n-Hexane 20,783 (L) 4,755.7 19,232 (L) 4,403.4

n-Heptane 20,680 (L) 5,503.0 19,156 (L) 5,100.6

n-Octane 20,601 (L) 6,248.9 19,097 (L) 5,796.2

Ethane 21,637 1,599.6 20,276 1,499.0

Propene 21,046 2,333.8 19,685 2,182.9

1-Butene 20,840 3,081.3 19,481 2,880.4

1-Pentene 20,546 (L) 3,827.1 19,185 (L) 3,575.5

1-Hexene 20,465 (L) 4,574.3 19,104 (L) 4,272.4

1-Heptene 20,408 (L) 5,322.1 19,047 (L) 4,969.9

1-Octene 20,366 (L) 6,069.4 19,005 (L) 5,666.9

Hydrogen Sulfide 7,101 637.0 6,540 586.7

Carbon Monoxide 4,342 320.6 4,342 320.6

Ammonia 9,687 434.1 9,670 358.6

(1) Reference: API Technical Data Book
Basis: Ideal gas at 60°F and 14.7 psia unless denoted by (L). (L) signifies liquid at 60°F.

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Fig. D-2 Heats of Combustion for Typical Fuel Gases

3.40

3.20

3.00 2
HHV = 229.60 + 1321(SG) + 207.97(SG) - 57.084(SG)
3

2 3
2.80 LHV = 186.37 + 1219.3(SG) + 206.93(SG) - 56.936(SG)
WHERE: SG < 2
2.60

2.40

2.20
HHV
2.00

1.80
LHV
1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 2.00
REFERENCE: API TECHNICAL DATA BOOK FUEL GAS SPECIFIC GRAVITY
GPA PUBLICATION 2145-82

*PARAFFINIC FUEL GASES EXCLUDING H2S AND INERTS.

Fig. D-3 Heats of Combustion for Typical Liquid Fuels

20.5
2 3
HHV= 17,721 + 89.08(API) - 348(API) + 0.009518(API)
2 3
LHV= 16,840 + 76.60(API) - 1.230(API) + 0.008974(API)
WHERE: 0<API<60
20

19.5

19

18.5
ASSUMED FUEL IMPURITIES

API %S %INERTS
18 0 3.0 1.2
HHV 5 2.4 1.0
(GROSS) 10 1.8 1.0
15 1.4 0.9
17.5
20 1.0 0.8
25 0.7 0.7
30 0.4 0.7
17 35 0.3 0.5
LHV
(NET) REFERENCE: MAXWELL’S DATA BOOK
ON HYDROCARBONS

16.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
LIQUID FUEL API GRAVITY

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Fig. D-4 Heats of Combination for Petroleum Cokes

19.5
HHV
(GROSS)
19

0% SULFUR 2% SULFUR
18.5
LHV
(NET)
18
0% SULFUR
2% SULFUR
17.5

17

16.5

16

HHV = 146.58(C) + 571.38(H) + 29.4(S) - 6.58(ASH)

LHV = 146.58(C) + 476.58(H) + 29.4(S) - 6.58(ASH)
15.5
WHERE: C, H, S, AND ASH ARE WEIGHT PERCENT
CARBON, HYDROGEN, SULFUR AND ASH RESPECTIVELY
15

14.5
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0

Reference: API Technical Data Book WEIGHT PERCENT HYDROGEN

Fig. D-5 Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Fuel Gases

1.2

1.18

1.16

(HHV/LHV) = 1+ 0.0947(SG)-0.2484
WHERE: SG< 1.6
(GROSS/NET)
(HHV/LHV)

1.14

1.12
FOR DETAIL
SEE FIG. D-6

1.1

1.08
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
FUEL GAS SPECIFIC GRAVITY
*Paraffinic Fuel Gases Excluding H2S and Inerts
Reference: API Technical Data Book

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Fig. D-6 Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Fuel Gases (Detail)

1.12

1.115

1.11

(HHV/LHV) = 1+ 0.0938(SG)-0.2531
(GROSS/NET)
(HHV/LHV)

WHERE: 0.4<SG<1.0
1.105

1.1

1.095

1.09
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
*Paraffinic Fuel Gases Excluding H2S and Inerts FUEL GAS SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Reference: API Technical Data Book

Fig. D-7 Ratio of Heating Values for Typical Liquid Fuels

1.074

1.072

1.07

1.068

1.066

1.064
(GROSS/NET)
(HHV/LLV)

1.062

1.06

1.058

1.056

1.054
-4 -6 2
(HHV/LHV) = 1.0525 + 4.43X10 (API) - 2.04X10 (API)
1.052

1.05
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
LIQUID FUEL API GRAVITY

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Appendix D Utilities Manual

Fig. D-8 Relationship between BTUs and EFOs-Bbls

Fuel Gas (SCF)

Specific Gravity Calorimeter &

(Figure D-2) Gas Chromatograph

Heat of Combustion Heat of Combustion

(HHV) (LHV)

Heat of Combustion HHV x SCF = BTU (HHV) Heat of Combustion LHV x SCF = BTU (LHV)

BTU BTU
(HHV) Convert with (HHV/LHV) ratio from Figs. D-5, D-6, and D-7 (LHV)

6.0MM BTU (HHV) = 1 EFO

EFO-BBL

April 2001 D-10 Chevron Corporation