Heat Values of Various Fuels
The heat value of a fuel is the amount of heat released during its combustion. Also referred to as energy or calorific value, heat value is a measure of a fuel's energy density, and is expressed in energy (joules) per specified amount (e.g. kilograms).
|
Heat value |
Hydrogen (H2) |
120-142 MJ/kg |
Methane (CH4) |
50-55 MJ/kg |
Methanol (CH3OH) |
22.7 MJ/kg |
Dimethyl ether - DME (CH3OCH3) |
29 MJ/kg |
Petrol/gasoline |
44-46 MJ/kg |
Diesel fuel |
42-46 MJ/kg |
Crude oil |
42-47 MJ/kg |
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) |
46-51 MJ/kg |
Natural gas |
42-55 MJ/kg |
Hard black coal (IEA definition) |
>23.9 MJ/kg |
Hard black coal (Australia & Canada) |
c. 25 MJ/kg |
Sub-bituminous coal (IEA definition) |
17.4-23.9 MJ/kg |
Sub-bituminous coal (Australia & Canada) |
c. 18 MJ/kg |
Lignite/brown coal (IEA definition) |
<17.4 MJ/kg |
Lignite/brown coal (Australia, electricity) |
c. 10 MJ/kg |
Firewood (dry) |
16 MJ/kg |
Natural uranium, in LWR (normal reactor) |
500 GJ/kg |
Natural uranium, in LWR with U & Pu recycle |
650 GJ/kg |
Natural uranium, in FNR |
28,000 GJ/kg |
Uranium enriched to 3.5%, in LWR |
3900 GJ/kg |
Uranium figures are based on 45,000 MWd/t burn-up of 3.5% enriched U in LWR
MJ = 106 Joule, GJ = 109 J
MJ to kWh @ 33% efficiency: x 0.0926
One tonne of oil equivalent (toe) is equal to 41.868 GJ
Notes & references
General sources
NIST Chemistry WebBook
OECD/IEA Electricity Information (various editions)
International Gas Union, Natural Gas Conversion Guide