Lecture # 04

Calorific Value of Coal

Amount of heat possessed by a fuel, when it is completely combusted with oxygen per unit
mass or volume is called calorific value. It can also be defined as the quantity of heat
produced by its combustion at constant pressure and under "normal" ("standard") 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.

There are two types of calorific value namely higher calorific value (HCV) or gross calorific
value (GCV) or higher heating value (HHV) and lower calorific value (LCV) or net calorific
value (NCV) or lower heating value (LHV).

Higher Calorific Value (HCV)/ Gross Calorific Value (GCV)

Amount of heat possessed by the fuel, when it completely combusted and the product of
combustion are cool down to the room temperature. The water of combustion is entirely
condensed and that the heat contained in the water vapor is recovered.

Lower Calorific Value (LCV)/ Net Calorific Value (NCV)

LCV is defined as the amount of heat obtained by the combustion of fuel, when the products
of combustion are allowed to escape into the atmosphere. It can also be defined as the
products of combustion contain the water vapor and that the heat in the water vapor is not
recovered.
Table: Higher calorific value of some common fuels

Higher Calorific Value (HCV)

Fuel
kJ/kg Btu/lb
Anthracite 32,500 - 34,000 14,000 - 14,500
Semi anthracite 26,700 - 32,500 11,500 - 14,000
Bituminous coal 17,000 - 23,250 7,300 - 10,000
Lignite 16,300 7,000
Peat 13,800 - 20,500 5,500 - 8,800
Coke 28,000 - 31,000 12,000 - 13,500
Charcoal 29,600 12,800

Source: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-higher-calorific-values-d_169.html

1 kJ/kg = 1 J/g = 0.4299 Btu/ lbm = 0.23884 kcal/kg

1 Btu/lbm = 2.326 kJ/kg = 0.55 kcal/kg,
1 kcal/kg = 4.1868 kJ/kg = 1.8 Btu/lbm

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Methods for finding out the Calorific Value

There are two methods of obtaining the calorific value of fuel namely analytical methods and
experimental methods.

(i) Analytical Methods

Dulong`s Formula:

HCV = 337C + 1442 (H - O/8) + 93 S kJ/ kg

LCV = H.CV – {9 x mass of H (kg) x 2466} kJ/ kg

where 2466 is the latent heat of water.

Conversion higher / lower calorific values

Kcal / kg LCV = HCV – 50.6 H - 5.5 M - 0.191 O.

MJ / kg LCV = HCV- 0.212 H - 0.0245 M – 000O.
Btu / lb LCV = HCV – 91.2 H - 91.2 M - 0.34 O.

where M is % moisture, H is % hydrogen, O is % oxygen (from ultimate analysis).

Example:
A fuel consists of 80% of carbon, 12.5% of hydrogen and 2.5% of ash by mass. Find the
higher and lower calorific value per kg of value???...

Data:
C = 85% = 0.85 kg.
H = 12.5% = 0.125 kg.
Ash = 2.5% = 0.025kg.

Required:
HCV = ?? and LCV = ??

Solution: By Dulong`s formula

H.CV = 337 C + 1442 {H-O/8} + 93 S kJ/ kg

HCV = (33800 x 0.85) + 144000 {0.125 – 0} + 0

HCV = 46700 kJ/ kg.

L.CV = H.CV – {9 x mass of H (Kg) x 2466} kJ/ kg

LCV = 46700 – (9 x 0.125 x 2466)

LCV = 43925 kJ/ kg.