A S T M D3588 87 P 0759530 0033081 5

This is a 3 page(s) preview of total 7

ci[)$

Designation: D 3588 89

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTINQ AND MATERIALS

1916 Race SI., Philadelphia. Pa. 19103

Reprinted from the Annual Boak d ASTM Standards, C w i g h t ASTM
If ml listed in the current combined index, will appear in lhe nexl edition.

Standard Practice fer

Calculating Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and Relative

Density (Specific Gravity) of Gaseous Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3588; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the yearof last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1, Scope

1.1 This practice covers procedures for calculating from

compositional analyses, the following properties of natural
gas mixtures: heating value, relative density and compressibility factor at base conditions (14.696 psia and 60F).* It is
applicable to all common types of utility gaseous fuels (for
example, dry natural gas, reformed gases, oil gas (both highand low-Btu), propane-air, carbureted water gas, and coke
oven and retort coal gas) for which suitable methods of
analysis as described in Section 6 are available. Calculation
procedures for other base conditions are given.
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
address ail ofthe sajty problems associaled with its use. it is
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitaticns prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:

D 1717 Methods for Analysis of Commercial ButaneButene Mixtures and Isobutylene by Gas Chromatograph~~
D 1945 Method for Analysis of Natural Gas by Gas
Chromatography4
D 1946 Method for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas
Chromatography4
D 2163 Method for Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum (LP)
Gases and Propylene Concentrates by Gas Chromatograph~~*~
D 2650 Test Method for Chemical Composition of Gases
by Mass Spectr~metry~*~
2.2 Other Standards:
GPA Standard 2166 Methods of Obtaining Natural Gas
Samples for Analysis by Gas Chromatography6
I This practice is under the ju6sdiction of ASTM Committee D-3 on Gaseous
Fuels and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee W3.03 on Determination of
Heating Value of Gaseous Fuels.
Current edition approved Nov. 24, 1989. Published April 1990. Originally
published as D 3588 77. Lasf previous edition D 3588 81.
*A more rigorous calculation of Z(T,P) at both base conditions and higher
pressures can be made using the calculation procedures in Compressibility and
Super Compressibility for Natural Gas and Other Hydrocarbon Gases, American
Gas Association Transmission Measurement Committee Report No. 8, AGA Cat.
No. XQi285. 1985. AGA, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.
Discontinued, see 1983Antitial Book uf ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.
Arritira/ ook qfASTM Siatrdards, Vol 05.05.
Anriiial Book of ASTM Siandurds, Vol 05.02.
Available from Gas Processors Association, 6526 East 60th, Tulsa, OK 74145.

GPA Standard 2261 Method of Analysis for Natural Gas

and Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas Chromatography6
GPA 2145 Physical Constants for the Paraffin Hydrocarbons and Other Components in Natural Gas6
GPA 2172 Calculation of Gross Heating Value, Relative
Density, and Compressibility Factor for Natural Gas
Mixtures from Compositional Analysis6*
GPA Technical Publication TP-17, Table of Physical
Properties of Hydrocarbons for Extended Analysis of
Natural Gases6
GPSA Data Book, Fig. 23-2,Physical C o n s t a d
TRC Thermodynamic Tables-Hydrocarbons
ANSI 2132.1-1969Base Conditions of Pressure and Temperature for the Volumetric Measurement of Natural
Gasg

3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 British thermal unt-the defined International Tables British thermal u d (symbol Btu).
3.I. 1 1 Discussion-The defining relationships are:
(a) 1 Btuelb-* = 2.326 Jag- (exact)

(6) 1 lb = 453,592 37 g (exact)

By these relationships, 1 Btu = 1 055.055 852 62 J (exact).
For most purposes the value rounded to Btu = 1 055.056 J is
adequate.
3.1.2 compressibility factor (2)-the ratio of the actual
volume of a given mass of gas at a specified temperature and
pressure to its volume calculated from the ideal gas law at the
same conditions.
3.1.3 gross heating value-the amount of energy transferred as heat from the complete, ideal combustion of the gas
with air, at standard temperature, where all the water formed
by the reaction condenses to liquid. The values for the pure
gases are in GPA Standard 2145,which is revised annually. If
the gross heating value has a volumetric rather than a mass
or molar basis, a base pressure must also be specifed.
3.1.4 net heating value-the amount of energy transferred
as heat from the total, ideal combustion of the gas at
standard temperature in which all the water formed by the

I A program in either Basic or Fortran suitable for running on computers,

available from IheThermodynamics Research Cepter, The Texas A&M University
System, College Station, TX 77843-31 1 I, has been found satisfactory for this
purpose.
*Available from Thermodynamics Research Center, The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX 77843-3 I I l .
Available from the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway,
New York, NY 10018.
--`,,`,,,`,,,,,,,,``,```,,``,```-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

www.TeraStandard.com

m
This is a 3 page(s) preview of total 7
ASTM D3588 87

0759530 0033082 7

(im D3588
reaction remains in the vapor state. Condensation of any
"spectator" water does not contribute to the net heating
value. If the net heating value has a volumetric rather than a
mass or molar basis, a base pressure must also be specified.
3.1.5 relative density (specific gravity)-the ratio of the
density of the gaseous fuel, under observed conditions of
temperature and pressure, to the density of dry air, of normal
carbon dioxide content, at the same temperature and pressure.
3.1.6 standard cubicfoot of gas-the amount of gas that
occupies 1 fi3 (0.028 m3)at a temperature of 60F (15.6"C)
under a given base pressure and either saturated with water
vapor (wet) or free of water vapor (dry) as specified (ANSI
2132.1). In this standard, calculations have been made at
14.696 psia and 60"F, because the yearly update of GPA2145 by the Thermodynamics Research Center, on which
these calculations are based, are given for this base pressure.
Calculations of other base conditions should be made at the
end of the calculation to avoid round-off errors.
3.1.7 Standard temperature (USA)-60F (15.6"C)
3.2 Symbols:
3.2.1 Nomenclature:

--`,,`,,,`,,,,,,,,``,```,,``,```-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

second vinal coefficient for gas mixture

sumniation factor for calculating real gas correction (aiternate method)
corrected for water content
value on water free basis
density for gas relative to the density of air
ideal relative density or relative molar mass: e. molar
mass of gaS relative to molar mass of air
gross heating value per unit mass
gross heating value per unit volume
gross heating value per unit mole
net heating value per unit mass
net heating value per unit volume
net heating value per unit mole
in Eq 1, integers required to balance the equation: Cl
carbon; H, hydrogen; S, sulfur; O, oxygen
ideal gas state
liquid phase
molar mass
mass flowrate
number of components
pressure in absolute units (psia)
ideal energy per unit time released as heat upon combustion
gas constant, 10.7316 psia.fi3/(lb mo1.R) in this document (based upon R = 8.31448 J/(mol.K))
denotes saturation value
absolute temperature, R = "F + 459.67 or K = 'C '+
273.15
value dependent upon temperature and pressure
gas volumetric flowrate
mole fraction
gas compressibility factor
repeatability of property
density in mass per unit volume
property summed for components 1 through n, where n
represents the total number of components in the mixture

3.2.2 Supa'scripls:

'

id ideal gas value

I liquid
u value at saturation (vapor pressure)
' reproducibility

3.2.3 Subscripts:
www.TeraStandard.com

a value for air

a relative number of atoms of carbon in Eq I
b relative number of atoms of hydrogen in Eq 1
c . relative number of atoms of sulfur in F.q 1
j property for component j
ii non-ideal gas property for component i
ij non-ideal gas property for mixture of i and j
jj non-ideal gas property for component j
w value for water
1 property for component 1
2 property for component 2

4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The ideal gas heating value and ideal ga relative
density (specific gravity) at base conditions (14.696 psia and
60F) are calculated from the molar composition and the
respective ideal gas values for the components; these values
are then adjusted by means of a calculated compressibility
factor.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 The heating value (calorific value) is a measure of the
suitability of a pure gas or a gas mixture for use as a fuel; it
indicates the amount of heat that can be obtained by burning
a unit of gas. For use as heating agents, the relative merits of
gases from different sources and having different compositions can be compared readily on the basis of their heating
values. The heating value is, therefore, used as a parameter
for determining the price of gas in custody transfer. It is also
an essential factor in calculating the efficiencies of energy
conversion devices such as gas-fired turbines. The heating
values of a gas depend not only upon the temperature and
pressure, but also upon the degree of saturation with water
vapor. However, some calorimetric methods for measuring
heating values are based upon the gas being saturated with
water at the specified conditions.
5.2 The relative density (specific gravity) of a gas quantifies the density of the gas as compared with that of air.
6. Methods of Analysis
6.1 Determine the molar composition of the gas in
accordance with any ASTM or GPA method that yields the
complete composition, exclusive of moisture, but including
all other components present in amounts of O. 1 % or more,
in terms of components or groups of components listed in
Table 1. At least 98 % of the sample shall be reported as
individual components (that is, not more than a total of 2 %
reported as groups of components such as butanes, pentanes,
hexanes, butenes, etc.). Any group used shall be one of those
listed in Table 1 for which average values are given, The
following ASTM methods are applicable to this standard
when appropriate for the sample under test: Test Methods
D 1717, D 1945, D 2163, and D 2650.

7. Calculation-Ideal

Gas Values; Ideal Heating Value

(deal Calorific Value)
7.1 An ideal combustion reaction in general terms .for fuel
and air in the ideal gas state, is:
C,H,S,(id)

+ (u + b/4 + c)O,(id)
= aC02(id) + (b/l)H,O(id or r) + cS02(id)

(1)

where "id" denotes the ideal gas state and "i" denotes liquid
phase. The ideal net heating value (ideal net or inferior

A S T M D3588 8 9

0759510 0031083 9

This is a 3 page(s) preview of total 7

4#

D3588

TABLE 1 Properties of Natural Gas Components at 6OoFand 14.696 pciaA

Compound

Formula

Hydrogen
Helium
Water
Carbon Monoxide
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen Sulfide
Argon
Carbon Dioxide
AlrB
Methane
Ethane
Propane
Iso-Butane
n-Butane
Iso-Pentane
n-Pentane
n-Hexane
n-Heptane
n-Octane
n-Nonane
n-Decane
Neopentane
2-Methylpentane
3-Methylpentane
2,P-Dimethyl butane
2,3-Dimethyl butane
Cyclopropane
Cyclobutane
Cyclopentane
Cyclohexane
Ethyne (acetyiene)
Ethene (ethylene)
Propene (propylene)
Benzene
Butanes, avg
Pentanes, avg
Hexanes, avg
Butenes. ava
Pentenes, ga;

Molar
MassC

g mot-1

Molar
Mass
RatloD
du

2.0159
4.0026
18.0153
28.010
28.0134
319988
34.08
39.948
44.010
28.9625
16.043
30.070
44.097
58.123
58.123
72.150
72.150
86.177
100.204
114.231
128.258
142.285
72.150
86.177
86.1 77
86.177
86.177
42.061
56.108
70.134
84.161
26.038
28.054
42.081
78.1 14
58.123
72.150
86.177
56.108
70.134

0.06960
0.13820
0.62202
0.9671 1
0.96723
1.1048
1.1767
1.3793
1.5196
1.o000
0.55392
1.O382
1.5226
2.0068
2.0068
2.4912
2.4912
2.9755
3.4598
3.9441
4.4284
4.9127
2.4912
2.9755
2.9755
2.9755
2.9755
1.4529
1,9373
2.4215
2.9059
0.8990
0.9686
1.4529
2.6971
2.0068
2.4912
2.9755
1.9372
2.4215

;urnmation
FactorF
~ I R T
psia-2

Ideal Net Heating Value

Ideal Gross Heating ValueE

Hn
G
-

%jF

kJ/md

Btujbm

Btu/ft3

286.20

61022
O
1059.8
4342
O
O
7094.2
O
O
O
23891
22333
21653
21232
21300
21043
21085
20943
20839
20759
20701
20651
20958
20905
20918
20856
20895
21381
21049
20364
20208
21487
21640
21039
18177
21266
21056
20904
20611
20691

342.2
O
50.312
320.5
O
O
637.1
O
O
O
1010.0
1769,7
2516.1
3251.9
3262.3
4000.9
4008.9
4755.9
5502.5
6248.9
6996.5
7742.9
3985
4747
4750
4736
4745
2371
2747
3764
4482
1474
1600
2333
3742
3257
4003
4747
3077
3824

O
44.409
282.9
O
O
562.4
0
O

o .
891.63
1562.06
2220.99
2870.45
2879.63
3531.5
3535.8
4198.1
4857.2
5515.9
6175.9
6834.9
3517.27
4190.43
4193.03
4180.63
4188.41
2092.78
2747.08
3322.04
3955.84
1301.32
1412.06
2059.35
3202.74
2875.0
3533.7
4190.1
2716.0
3375

51566
O
O
4342.2
O
O
6534

241.79

O
O
282.9
O

O
517.99
O
O
O
802.71
1428.83
2043.3
2648.4
2657.6
3265.0
3269.3
3887.2
4501.9
5116.2
5731.8
6346.4
3250.8
3879.6
3882.2
3869.8
3877.5
1959.6
2569.4
3100.0
3689.4
1256.9
1323.2
1926.1
3169.5
2653
3267
3879
2538
3153

O
O
O
21511
20429
19922
19590
19858
19456
19481
19393
19315
19256
19213
19176
19371
19355
19367
19306
19344
20020
19688
19003
18847
20753
20278
19678
17444
19623
19469
19353
19450
19328

273.93
O

O
320.5
O
O
588.8
O
O

O
909.4
1618.7
2314.9
3000.4
3010.8
3699.0
3703.9
4403.9
5100.3
5796.2
6493.6
7189.9
3683
4395
4398
4384
4393
2220
2911
3512
4180
1424
1499
2182
3591
3006
3702
4395
2876
3572

0
0.0623
0.0053
0.0044
0.0073
0.0253
0.0071
0.0197
0.0053
0.0116
0.0239

0.0344
0.0458
0.0478
0.0581
0.0631
0.0802
0.0944
0.1 137
0,1331
0.i538
0.080
0.080
0.060

0.080

0.021
0.020
0.033
0,069
0.046
0.062
0.080
0.046
0.060

A The values for the major components are from GPA 2145-88 It it is necessary to use the values for these components from the most recent edition of OPA 2145.
Other values are from Fig. 23-2, GPSA Engineering Data BoOk, 0 TP-17 and TRC Thermodynamic Tabies-Hydrcwtms.
I9 (1978).
E Comwsltion from: Jones, F. E.; J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand., 83
1984 Atomic Weights: C=l2.011, H=1.00794, 0315.9994, N=14.0067, S=32.06.
Molar Mass Ratio Is the ratio of the mdar mass of the gas to that of alr.
E Based upon ideal reaction; the entry for water represenis the total enthalpy of vaporization.
(14.696) P/14.696 or h: (P) = hf (14.696) P/14.696.
To obtain #$ or hv at other pressures use @ (P) =

calorific value) results when all the water is in the ideal gas
state. The ideal gross heating value (ideal gross or superior
calorific value) results when all the water formed by the
reaction condenses to liquid. For water, the reduction from
H20(id) to H20(C) is H!! - HL, the ideal enthalpy of
vaporization, which is somewhat larger than the enthalpy of
vaporization Ww H i .
7. i. I Because the gross heating value results from an ideal
combustion reaction, ideal gas relationships apply. The ideal
gross heating value per unit mass for a mixture, p
m
,is:

Hin: = 5 XjMj Pijf$ XjMj

j= I

www.TeraStandard.com

7-291

pid = P / R T

z 5Mj

j-I

=MP/RT

(3)

j= I

where M i s the molar mass of the mixture.

M=

(2)

where: xj is the mole fraction of component j, Mj is the molar

mass (molecular weight) of component j from Table 1, andn
is the total number of components.

--`,,`,,,`,,,,,,,,``,```,,``,```-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

m
jis the pure component, ideal gross heating value
7.1.2 p
per unit mass for component j (at 60'F in Table I). Values of
fC2 are independent of pressure but they vary with temperature.
7.2 IdealGasDensitY:
The
gas density pid is:

XjMj
j= I

P is the base pressure in absolute units, (psia), R is the gas

constant, 10.7316 psia*ft3/(lb mol-R) in this document,
based upon R = 8.31448 J/(mol-K), T i s the base temperature in absolute unit (R = "F 459.67)..Values of the ideal