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Wobbe index
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wobbe Index (WI) or Wobbe number[1] is an indicator of the interchangeability of fuel gases such as natural gas,
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and town gas and is frequently defined in the specifications of gas supply and transport
utilities.
If
is the higher heating value, or higher calorific value, and
defined as:
, is
The Wobbe Index is used to compare the combustion energy output of different composition fuel gases in an appliance
(fire, cooker etc.). If two fuels have identical Wobbe Indices then for given pressure and valve settings the energy output
will also be identical. Typically variations of up to 5% are allowed as these would not be noticeable to the consumer.
The Wobbe Index is a critical factor to minimise the impact of the changeover when analyzing the use of substitute
natural gas (SNG) fuels such as propane-air mixtures. The Wobbe Index also requires the addition of propane to some
upgraded biomethane products,[2] particularly in regions where natural gas has a high calorific value such as Sweden [3]
Contents
1
2
3
4
Hydrogen
11,528
9,715
48.23
40.65
Methane
12,735
11,452
53.28
47.91
Ethane
16,298
14,931
68.19
62.47
Ethylene
15,253
14,344
63.82
60.01
Natural gas
12,837
11,597
53.71
48.52
Propane
19,376
17,817
81.07
74.54
Propylene
18,413
17,180
77.04
71.88
n-butane
22,066
20,336
92.32
85.08
Iso-butane
21,980
20,247
91.96
84.71
Butylene-1
21,142
19,728
88.46
82.54
LPG
20,755
19,106
86.84
79.94
Acetylene
14,655
14,141
61.32
59.16
3,060
12.80
12.80
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wobbe_index
29-12-2015
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Usage
The Wobbe index is commonly expressed in either British Thermal Units (BTU) per standard cubic foot, or else
megajoules per standard cubic meter (1,000 BTU/scf = 37.3 MJ/Sm3). In the case of natural gas (molar mass 17 g/mol),
the typical heating value is around 1,050 BTU per cubic foot and the specific gravity is approximately 0.59, giving a
typical Wobbe index of 1,367 BTU/scf (51 MJ/m3).
There are three ranges or "families" of fuel gases that have been internationally agreed based on Wobbe index. Family 1
covers manufactured gases, family 2 covers natural gases (with high and low ranges) and family 3 covers liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG). Combustion equipment is typically designed to burn a fuel gas within a particular family:
hydrogen-rich town gas, natural gas or LPG.
Family
Type of gas
22.5 30
24 29
2L
Natural
39 45
2H
3
LPG
45.5 55
48 53
73.5 87.5
72 87
Other flame characteristics and composition limits may determine the acceptability of the replacement gas, e.g. flame
speed, "yellow tipping" due to incomplete combustion, sulfur content, oxygen content, etc.
Limitations
In spite of its usefulness, Wobbe index alone is not a good indicator of the interchangeability of two or more gases, or
mixtures of them. It is necessary to bear in mind other criteria while determining the plenty substitution of a fuel by
other, different of the one used to adjust the burning system.[5]
References
"The Wobbe Index and Natural Gas Interchangeability" (PDF). Emerson Process Management. 2007-07-30.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Treloar, R.D. (2005). Gas Installation Technology. Blackwell. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-4051-1880-4.
http://www.biogasmax.eu/media/d3_3v2biogasmax_iwes_v2f_nov2010__052078600_1109_10022011.pdf
B [1] (http://www.sgc.se/gasification2011/Resources/Ingemar_Gunnarsson.pdf).
Wobbe Index and Fuel Gases (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wobbe-index-d_421.html)
Flrez-Orrego,Daniel, Escola Politcnica da USP. "Fuel Gas Interchangeability". Retrieved 8 Sep 2012.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wobbe_index
29-12-2015