Gas Volume (m³) to Gcal Converter
Convert natural gas volume (cubic meters) to heat energy (Gigacalories) with adjustable calorific values. Essential for industrial billing and heating audits.
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About
Energy metering in industrial sectors often requires converting volumetric flow into thermal energy units. Natural gas meters typically measure volume in cubic meters (m3), while utility billing and boiler efficiency calculations are frequently conducted in Gigacalories (Gcal). The discrepancy between volume and energy content arises because the calorific value of natural gas is not constant; it fluctuates based on the chemical composition of the methane mixture, temperature, and pressure.
This tool performs the conversion by applying a specific calorific value factor. While the standard reference is often cited as 8000 kcal/m3, variations in supply can range from 7500 to 8500 kcal/m3. Precise conversion is critical for reconciling fuel costs with actual heat output in district heating systems and manufacturing plants.
Formulas
The conversion relies on the definition that one Gigacalorie is equal to 106 kilocalories. The formula multiplies the gas volume by the specific calorific value of the fuel source.
Where:
- E is the Energy in Gigacalories.
- V is the Volume in cubic meters.
- Q is the Calorific Value (Heat of Combustion) in kcal/m3.
Reference Data
| Gas Quality / Type | Low Heating Value (kcal/m3) | High Heating Value (kcal/m3) | Approx. Conversion (Gcal/1000m3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Natural Gas (Low) | 7600 | 8400 | 7.6 − 8.4 |
| G20 (Pure Methane Reference) | 8127 | 9025 | 8.13 |
| G25 (Dutch/Low Cal) | 6990 | 7760 | 6.99 |
| Associated Petroleum Gas | 9000 | 10500 | 9.0 − 10.5 |
| Biogas (60% Methane) | 5000 | 5500 | 5.0 |
| Propane (Gas Phase) | 21000 | 23000 | 21.0 |
| Butane (Gas Phase) | 28000 | 30000 | 28.0 |
| LNG (Regasified) | 9200 | 9600 | 9.2 − 9.6 |