ASTM D3588-98

Standard Practice for Calculating Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels

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 60°F).  It is applicable to all common types of utility gaseous fuels (for example, dry natural gas, reformed gases, oil gas (both high- and 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 does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated 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 limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-May-1998
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels
• Drafting Committee: D03.03 - Determination of Heating Value and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3588-98(2003) - Standard Practice for Calculating Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1496-13(2019) - Standard Test Method for Performance of Convection Ovens
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D7164-21 - Standard Practice for On-line/At-line Heating Value Determination of Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1696-20 - Standard Test Method for Energy Performance of Stationary-Rack, Door-Type Commercial Dishwashing Machines
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F3216-16(2021) - Standard Test Method for Performance of Retherm Ovens
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1920-20 - Standard Test Method for Performance of Rack Conveyor Commercial Dishwashing Machines
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D7314-21 - Standard Practice for Determination of the Heating Value of Gaseous Fuels using Calorimetry and On-line/At-line Sampling
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D8251-23 - Standard Practice for Determining Compressor Oil Carryover in Compressed Natural Gas Used as a Natural Gas Motor Vehicle Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D8080-21 - Standard Specification for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Used as a Motor Vehicle Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2239-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Performance of Conveyor Broilers
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1605-14(2019) - Standard Test Method for Performance of Double-Sided Griddles
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2861-20 - Standard Test Method for Enhanced Performance of Combination Oven in Various Modes
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2379-04(2021) - Standard Test Method for Energy Performance of Powered Open Warewashing Sinks
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D7940-21 - Standard Practice for Analysis of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by Fiber-Coupled Raman Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2473-12(2023) - Standard Test Method for Performance of Water-Bath Rethermalizers
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3588 – 98
Standard Practice for
Calculating Heat Value, Compressibility Factor, and Relative
Density 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 year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 2163 Test Method for Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum
(LP) Gases and Propane Concentrates by Gas Chromatog-
1.1 This practice covers procedures for calculating heating
raphy
value, relative density, and compressibility factor at base
D 2650 Test Method for Chemical Composition of Gases by
conditions (14.696 psia and 60°F (15.6°C)) for natural gas
Mass Spectrometry
mixtures from compositional analysis. It applies to all com-
2.2 GPA Standards:
mon types of utility gaseous fuels, for example, dry natural gas,
GPA 2145 Physical Constants for the Paraffin Hydrocarbons
reformed gas, oil gas (both high and low Btu), propane-air,
and Other Components in Natural Gas
carbureted water gas, coke oven gas, and retort coal gas, for
GPA Standard 2166 Methods of Obtaining Natural Gas
which suitable methods of analysis as described in Section 6
Samples for Analysis by Gas Chromatography
are available. Calculation procedures for other base conditions
GPA 2172 Calculation of Gross Heating Value, Relative
are given.
Density, and Compressibility Factor for Natural Gas
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
7,8
Mixtures from Compositional Analysis
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
GPA Standard 2261 Method of Analysis for Natural Gas and
information only.
Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas Chromatography
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
GPA Technical Publication TP-17 Table of Physical Prop-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
erties of Hydrocarbons for Extended Analysis of Natural
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Gases
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
GPSA Data Book, Fig. 23-2, Physical Constants
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.3 TRC Document:
2. Referenced Documents
TRC Thermodynamic Tables—Hydrocarbons
2.4 ANSI Standard:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ANSI Z 132.1-1969: Base Conditions of Pressure and
D 1717 Methods for Analysis of Commercial Butane-
Temperature for the Volumetric Measurement of Natural
Butene Mixtures and Isobutylene by Gas Chromatogra-
,
10 11
Gas
phy
D 1945 Test Method for Analysis of Natural Gas by Gas
3. Terminology
Chromatography
3.1 Definitions:
D 1946 Practice for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas
Chromatography
1 5
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-3 on Gaseous Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.03 on Determination of Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
Heating Value and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels. Available from Gas Processors Association, 6526 E. 60th, Tulsa, OK 74145.
Current edition approved May 10, 1998. Published April 1999. Originally A program in either BASIC or FORTRAN suitable for running on computers,
published as D 3588 – 98. available from the Gas Processors Association, has been found satisfactory for this
A more rigorous calculation of Z(T,P) at both base conditions and higher purpose.
pressures can be made using the calculation procedures in “Compressibility and Available from Thermodynamics Research Center, The Texas A&M University,
Super Compressibility for Natural Gas and Other Hydrocarbon Gases,” American College Station, TX 77843-3111.
Gas Association Transmission Measurement Committee Report 8, AGA Cat. No. Available from the American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St.,
XQ1285, 1985, AGA, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209. 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
3 11
Discontinued, see 1983 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D03-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.05. 1007.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D3588–98
3.1.1 British thermal unit—the defined International Tables 3.2.1.14 a, b, c—in Eq 1, integers required to balance the
British thermal unit (Btu). equation: C, carbon; H, hydrogen; S, sulfur; O, oxygen
3.2.1.15 (id)—ideal gas state
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The defining relationships are:
–1 –1
1 Btu•lb = 2.326 J•g (exact) 3.2.1.16 (l)—liquid phase
3.2.1.17 M—molar mass
1 lb = 453.592 37 g (exact)
By these relationships, 1 Btu = 1 055.055 852 62 J (exact). For 3.2.1.18 m—mass flow rate
3.2.1.19 n—number of components
most purposes, the value (rounded) 1 Btu = 1055.056 J is
adequate. 3.2.1.20 P—pressure in absolute units (psia)
id
3.2.1.21 Q —ideal energy per unit time released as heat
3.1.2 compressibility factor (z)—the ratio of the actual
volume of a given mass of gas at a specified temperature and upon combustion
3.2.1.22 R—gas constant, 10.7316 psia.ft /(lb mol•R) in this
pressure to its volume calculated from the ideal gas law under
the same conditions. practice (based upon R = 8.314 48 J/(mol•K))
3.2.1.23 (sat)—denotes saturation value
3.1.3 gross heating value—the amount of energy transferred
as heat from the complete, ideal combustion of the gas with air, 3.2.1.24 T—absolute temperature, °R = °F + 459.67 or K =
°C + 273.15
at standard temperature, in which all the water formed by the
reaction condenses to liquid. The values for the pure gases 3.2.1.25 (T, P)—value dependent upon temperature and
pressure
appear in GPA Standard 2145, which is revised annually. If the
gross heating value has a volumetric rather than a mass or 3.2.1.26 V—gas volumetric flow rate
3.2.1.27 x—mole fraction
molar basis, a base pressure must also be specified.
3.2.1.28 Z—gas compressibility factor repeatability of prop-
3.1.4 net heating value—the amount of energy transferred
erty
as heat from the total, ideal combustion of the gas at standard
3.2.1.29 d—repeatability of property
temperature in which all the water formed by the reaction
3.2.1.30 r—density in mass per unit volume
remains in the vapor state. Condensation of any “spectator”
n
water does not contribute to the net heating value. If the net 3.2.1.31 —property summed for Components 1
(j51
heating value has a volumetric rather than a mass or molar through n, where n represents the total number of components
basis, a base pressure must also be specified. in the mixture
3.1.5 relative density—the ratio of the density of the gas- 3.2.2 Superscripts:
eous fuel, under observed conditions of temperature and 3.2.2.1 id—ideal gas value
3.2.2.2 l—liquid
pressure, to the density of dry air (of normal carbon dioxide
content) at the same temperature and pressure. 3.2.2.3 s—value at saturation (vapor pressure)
3.2.2.4 8—reproducibility
3.1.6 standard cubic foot of gas—the amount of gas that
3 3
occupies 1 ft (0.028 m ) at a temperature of 60°F (15.6°C) 3.2.3 Subscripts:
3.2.3.1 a—value for air
under a given base pressure and either saturated with water
vapor (wet) or free of water vapor (dry) as specified (see ANSI 3.2.3.2 a—relative number of atoms of carbon in Eq 1
3.2.3.3 b—relative number of atoms of hydrogen in Eq 1
Z 132.1). In this practice, calculations have been made at
14.696 psia and 60°F (15.6°C), because the yearly update of 3.2.3.4 c—relative number of atoms of sulfur in Eq 1
3.2.3.5 j—property for component j
GPA 2145 by the Thermodynamics Research Center, on which
these calculations are based, are given for this base pressure. 3.2.3.6 ii—non-ideal gas property for component i
3.2.3.7 ij—non-ideal gas property for mixture of i and j
Conversions to other base conditions should be made at the end
of the calculation to reduce roundoff errors. 3.2.3.8 jj—non-ideal gas property for component j
3.2.3.9 w—value for water
3.1.7 standard temperature (USA)—60°F (15.6°C).
3.2.3.10 1—property for Component 1
3.2 Symbols:
3.2.3.11 2—property for Component 2
3.2.1 Nomenclature:
3.2.1.1 B—second virial coefficient for gas mixture
4. Summary of Practice
3.2.1.2 b —summation factor for calculating real gas
=
ij
4.1 The ideal gas heating value and ideal gas relative
correction (alternate method)
density at base conditions (14.696 psia and 60°F (5.6°C)) are
3.2.1.3 (cor)—corrected for water content
calculated from the molar composition and the respective ideal
3.2.1.4 (dry)—value on water-free basis
gas values for the components; these values are then adjusted
3.2.1.5 d—density for gas relative to the density of air.
id by means of a calculated compressibility factor.
3.2.1.6 d —ideal relative density or relative molar mass,
that is, molar mass of gas relative to molar mass of air
5. Significance and Use
id
3.2.1.7 G —molar mass ratio
5.1 The heating value is a measure of the suitability of a
id
3.2.1.8 H —gross heating value per unit mass
m
pure gas or a gas mixture for use as a fuel; it indicates the
id
3.2.1.9 H —gross heating value per unit volume
v
amount of energy that can be obtained as heat by burning a unit
id
3.2.1.10 H —gross heating value per unit mole
n
of gas. For use as heating agents, the relative merits of gases
id
3.2.1.11 h —net heating value per unit mass
from different sources and having different compositions can
m
id
3.2.1.12 h —net heating value per unit volume
be compared readily on the basis of their heating values.
v
id
3.2.1.13 h —net heating value per unit mole Therefore, the heating value is used as a parameter for
n
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D3588–98
determining the price of gas in custody transfer. It is also an ponents present in amounts of 0.1 % or more, in terms of
essential factor in calculating the efficiencies of energy con- components or groups of components listed in Table 1. At least
version devices such as gas-fired turbines. The heating values
98 % of the sample must be reported as individual components
of a gas depend not only upon the temperature and pressure,
(that is, not more than a total of 2 % reported as groups of
but also upon the degree of saturation with water vapor.
components such as butanes, pentanes, hexanes, butenes, and
However, some calorimetric methods for measuring heating
so forth). Any group used must be one of those listed in Table
values are based upon the gas being saturated with water at the
1 for which average values appear. The following test methods
specified conditions.
are applicable to this practice when appropriate for the sample
5.2 The relative density (specific gravity) of a gas quantifies
under test: Test Methods D 1717, D 1945, D 2163, and D 2650.
the density of the gas as compared with that of air under the
same conditions.
7. Calculation—Ideal Gas Values; Ideal Heating Value
6. Methods of Analysis 7.1 An ideal combustion reaction in general terms for fuel
and air in the ideal gas state is:
6.1 Determine the molar composition of the gas in accor-
dance with any ASTM or GPA method that yields the complete
C H S ~id! 1 ~a 1 b/4 1 c!O ~id! 5 aCO ~id! 1 ~h/2!H O ~id or l!
a b c 2 2 2
composition, exclusive of water, but including all other com- 1 cSO ~id! (1)
A
TABLE 1 Properties of Natural Gas Components at 60°F and 14.696 psia
D
Ideal Gross Heating Value Ideal Net Heating Value
Summation
Molar Mass, Molar Mass,
id id id id id id
Compound Formula Factor, b ,
–1B idC i
H , H , H , h , h , h ,
lb·lbmol Ratio, G n m v n m v
−1
–1 –1 –3 –1 –1 –3 psia
kJ · mol Btu · lbm Btu·ft kJ · mol Btu · lbm Btu·ft
Hydrogen H 2.0159 0.069 60 286.20 6 1022 324.2 241.79 51 566 273.93 0
Helium He 4.0026 0.138 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Water H O 18.0153 0.622 02 44.409 1059.8 50.312 0 0 0 0.0623
Carbon monoxide CO 28.010 0.967 11 282.9 4342 320.5 282.9 4 342 320.5 0.0053
Nitrogen N 28.0134 0.967 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0044
Oxygen O 31.9988 1.104 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0073
Hydrogen sulfide H S 34.08 1.176 7 562.4 7 094.2 637.1 517.99 6 534 586.8 0.0253
Argon Ar 39.948 1.379 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0071
Carbon dioxide CO 44.010 1.519 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0197
E
Air 28.9625 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0050
Methane CH 16.043 0.553 92 891.63 23 891 1010.0 802.71 21 511 909.4 0.0116
Ethane C H 30.070 1.038 2 1562.06 22 333 1769.7 1428.83 20 429 1618.7 0.0239
2 6
Propane C H 44.097 1.522 6 2220.99 21 653 2516.1 2043.3 19 922 2314.9 0.0344
3 8
i-Butane C H 58.123 2.006 8 2870.45 21 232 3251.9 2648.4 19 590 3000.4 0.0458
4 10
n-Butane C H 58.123 2.006 8 2879.63 21 300 3262.3 2657.6 19 658 3010.8 0.0478
4 10
i-Pentane C H 72.150 2.491 2 3531.5 21 043 4000.9 3265.0 19 456 3699.0 0.0581
5 12
n-Pentane C H 72.150 2.491 2 3535.8 21 085 4008.9 3269.3 19 481 3703.9 0.0631
5 12
n-Hexane C H 86.177 2.975 5 4198.1 20 943 4755.9 3887.2 19 393 4403.9 0.0802
6 14
n-Heptane C H 100.204 3.459 8 4857.2 20 839 5502.5 4501.9 19 315 5100.3 0.0944
7 16
n-Octane C H 114.231 3.944 1 5515.9 20 759 6248.9 5116.2 19 256 5796.2 0.1137
8 18
n-Nonane C H 128.258 4.428 4 6175.9 20 701 6996.5 5731.8 19 213 6493.6 0.1331
9 20
n-Decane C H 142.285 4.912 7 6834.9 20 651 7742.9 6346.4 19 176 7189.9 0.1538
10 22
Neopentane C H 72.015 2.491 2 3517.27 20 958 3985 3250.8 19 371 3683
5 12
2-Methylpentane C H 86.177 2.975 5 4190.43 20 905 4747 3879.6 19 355 4395 0.080
6 14
3-Methylpentane C H 86.177 2.975 5 4193.03 20 918 4750 3882.2 19 367 4398 0.080
6 14
2,2-Dimethylbutane C H 86.177 2.975 5 4180.63 20 856 4736 3869.8 19 306 4384 0.080
6 14
2,3-Dimethylbutane C H 86.177 2.975 5 4188.41 20 895 4745 3877.5 19 344 4393 0.080
6 14
Cyclopropane C H 42.081 1.452 9 2092.78 21 381 2371 1959.6 20 020 2220 . . .
3 6
Cyclobutane C H 56.108 1.937 3 2747.08 21 049 2747 2569.4 19 688 2911 . . .
4 8
Cyclopentane C H 70.134 2.421 5 3322.04 20 364 3764 3100.0 19 003 3512 . . .
5 10
Cyclohexane C H 84.161 2.905 9 3955.84 20 208 4482 3689.4 18 847 4180 . . .
6 12
Ethyne (acetylene) C H 26.038 0.899 0 1301.32 21 487 1474 1256.9 20 753 1424 0.021
2 2
Ethene (ethylene) C H 28.054 0.968 6 1412.06 21 640 1600 1323.2 20 278 1499 0.020
2 4
Propene (propylene) C H 42.081 1.452 9 2059.35 21 039 2333 1926.1 19 678 2182 0.033
3 6
Benzene C H 78.114 2.697 1 3202.74 18 177 3742 3169.5 17 444 3591 0.069
6 6
Butanes (ave) C H 58.123 2.006 8 2875 21 266 3257 2653 19 623 3006
...