Specific Fuel Consumption Calculation

By: Ijaz Ahmad Abid

Oct 09, 2010

Application of Temperature and Pressure Correction Factors in Gas Volume

Measurement
COMBINED BOYLES CHARLES GAS LAWS

Temperatures & Pressures vary at Meter,

Readings must be converted to Standard conditions for correct volume measurement

Introduction:
Most gas meters measure the volume of gas at existing line conditions of pressure and
temperature. This volume is usually referred to displaced volume or non corrected volume m3.
The value of the gas (i.e., heat content) is referred to in gas measurement as the standard
volume or volume at standard conditions of pressure and temperature. It is called corrected
volume, the unit is Nm3 (Normal cubic meter)
Since gases are compressible fluids, any change in pressure or temperature will have an effect
on the measured volume by the meter and the shown volume will be changed. This is the cause
of bringing the measured volume at standard volume or corrected volume.
Note: Standard conditions are based on the pressure exerted by the air around us and
base temperature. This value is normally 1.0325 bar (14.696 psi) absolute pressure at sea level
for pressure and 15 C or 288.15 K (15+273.15) for temperature.
This fact is referred to as Boyles Law which states,

Under constant temperature conditions, the volume of gas is inversely proportional to the
ratio of the change in absolute pressures.
This can be expressed mathematically as:
P1 V1 = P2 V2
Charles Law states that,
Under constant pressure conditions, the volume of gas is directly proportional to the
ratio of the change in absolute temperature. Or mathematically,
V1 / T1 = V2 / T2
Combining Boyles Law and Charles Law gives the relationship as under,

For gas operated equipment especially Gas generators, the Specific Fuel Consumption SFC is
calculated. The unit of SFC is Nm3 / KWh (the gas required to produce 1 KWh electric).
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This is true since the gas meter; however, will only measure the displaced volume and the
counter on the meter will only register displaced volume M3 in a specific time period. If the gas is
compressed to one-half of its volume, the measured volume will exactly be double than the
previous one with in specific time period.
For these reasons the gas counter reading or non corrected volume must be corrected to
standard volume (Nm3).
To obtain the real value of the gas that has passed through the meter.
Following formula will be used,
Here;
V1 is non corrected volume m3
V2 is corrected volume Nm3
So

We can simplify more

C is correction factor
Correction factor can be found with following formula

Gas Bill
Gas bill is calculated by MBTU (millions BTU)
The heat value in gas is expressed as GCV (gross calorific value), the unit is BTU/ft3.
GCV can differ at different places, it can vary between 900 and 1100 BTU/ft3.
To obtain MBTU following formula will be used,

1m3 = 35.31 ft3

Gas bill amount = MBTU*unit price
To calculate the SFC in Nm3 / KWh,

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Abbreviations,
P1 = Gas pressure Avg. (Abs) in Bar
V1 = Gas volume displace in specific time period in M
T1 = Gas Temperature in Kelvin (C + 273.15)
V2 = Corrected gas volume based on standard gas pressure and temperature in Nm3
(Based on standards ICAO's ISA, ISO 13443, EEA, EGIA)
P2 = Standard gas pressure (1.01325)
T2 = Standard gas temperature in Kelvin (C + 273.15)
Table 1: Standard reference conditions in current use
Temperature

Absolute
pressure

Relative
humidity

Bar

% RH

1.01325

15

1.01325

20
25
25

1.01325
1.01325
1

20

15
20

Publishing or establishing entity

IUPAC (present definition)

IUPAC (former definition), NIST, ISO 10780
0

ICAO's ISA, ISO 13443, EEA, EGIA

EPA, NIST
EPA[14]
SATP[15]

CAGI

1
1.013

50

SP]
ISO 5011[18]

psi

% RH

60

14.696

SPE, U.S. OSHA, SCAQMD

60

14.73

EGIA, OPEC, U.S. EIA

59
59
F

14.503
14.696
in Hg

78
60
% RH

70

29.92

U.S. Army Standard Metro

ISO 2314, ISO 3977-2[25]
AMCA, air density = 0.075 lbm/ft. This AMCA
standard applies only to air.

Note: The Base Pressure and Base Temperature values can normally be found in contract with
gas supplier.

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