Natural gas calculation involves several steps, primarily focusing on determining the energy content (BTUs) based on its volume and sometimes its weight. The method includes calculations related to the heat content of natural gas, typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), along with conversions involving therms and Gasoline Gallon Equivalents (GGE).
Understanding the Basics
- Therm: A standard unit of heat equal to 100,000 BTUs.
- BTU (British Thermal Unit): The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- GGE (Gasoline Gallon Equivalent): A standard measure to compare the energy content of natural gas to gasoline.
Steps to Calculate BTU's per Pound and GGE
Calculating BTU's per Pound
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Find the therm's weight: Determine the weight in pounds of one therm of natural gas. For example, the reference states that a therm might weigh 4.96 lbs.
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Divide 100,000 by the therm's weight: Since one therm is equal to 100,000 BTUs, divide 100,000 by the weight of your therm to find the BTU's per pound.
- Example: If a therm weighs 4.96 lbs, then 100,000 BTU / 4.96 lbs = 20,161.29 BTU/lb.
Calculating BTU's per GGE
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Multiply BTU's per pound by the conversion factor: Multiply the result from the previous calculation (BTU's per pound) by 5.66 to find the number of BTU's per GGE. This is because one standard GGE is equal to 5.66 pounds.
- Example: Continuing with the previous example, 20,161.29 BTU/lb * 5.66 = 114,117.55 BTU per GGE.
Summary
To find the energy content of natural gas, these conversions are crucial:
- A therm is 100,000 BTUs.
- The BTU's per pound can be found by dividing 100,000 by the weight of your therm in pounds.
- The BTU's per GGE are found by multiplying the BTU's per pound by 5.66.
By understanding these steps, you can accurately calculate the energy content of natural gas in various units, allowing for better comparisons and more efficient energy management.
