Net calorific value

Net calorific value (sometimes called lower heating value) is the amount of heat released by the complete combustion of a unit of fuel, excluding the heat lost to water vapor produced during the combustion process.

Net calorific value: main characteristics:

• Measurement: The parameter is measured in Joules (J) per kilogram (kg) or per cubic meter (m³) of fuel.
• Difference from total calorific value: Unlike the gross (or higher) heating value, the net heating value does not take into account the heat released during the condensation of water vapor, which is formed from the hydrogen contained in the fuel. This means that the net heating value is always lower than the gross heating value.
• Application: This indicator is used to evaluate the efficiency of fuel under real conditions, where condensation of water vapor does not usually occur and is not taken into account in heat exchange.

Net calorific value is important for calculating economic efficiency and thermal energy, available for heating systems and other fuel-fired power plants such as boilers, furnaces and engines.