Wobbe index

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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 is the specific gravity, the Wobbe index, , is defined as:

is the density of the gas at standard conditions, the definition of which changed in 1982. Published Wobbe data may be using 0 °C, 15 °C, 15.56 °C, 20 °C or 25 °C. EU directives on gas quality use 15 °C in accordance with ISO 13443 and ISO 6976.

is the density of air at standard conditions, is the molar mass of the gas and is the molar mass of air which is about 28.96 kg/kmol. . 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]

The Wobbe index has its origins in the 1920's with Italian physicist and engineer Goffredo Wobbe.[4]

Wobbe index of common fuel gases[5]

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Note that these Wobbe numbers below are not calculated at 15 °C and so are not correct according to ISO 13443, see Standard temperature and pressure.

Fuel gas Upper index
kcal/Nm³
Lower index
kcal/Nm³
Upper index
MJ/m³
Lower index
MJ/m³
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
Carbon monoxide 3,060 3,060 12.80 12.80
Note: 1 Joule = 2.3901×10−4 kcal.

Usage

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The Wobbe index is expressed in MJ/Nm³ (where 'Nm³' indicates'm³ in Normal conditions), or sometimes in BTU/scf. In the case of natural gas (molar mass 17 g/mol), the typical heating value is around 39 MJ/Nm³ (1,050 BTU/scf) and the specific gravity is approximately 0.59, giving a typical Wobbe index of 51 MJ/Nm³ (1,367 BTU/scf).

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 Wobbe index range (MJ/Nm3) Wobbe number range[1]
1 Town gas / Syngas 22.5 – 30.0 24.0 – 29.0
2 L Natural 39.0 – 45.0
2 H 45.5 – 55.0 48.0 – 53.0
3 LPG 73.5 – 87.5 72.0 – 87.0

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

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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.[6]

References

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  • "The Wobbe Index and Natural Gas Interchangeability" (PDF). Emerson Process Management. 2007-07-30.
  1. ^ a b Treloar, R.D. (2005). Gas Installation Technology. Blackwell. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-4051-1880-4.
  2. ^ "Bio Gas max" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  3. ^ Ingemar Gunnarsson
  4. ^ "American Gas Association" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  5. ^ Wobbe Index and Fuel Gases
  6. ^ Flórez-Orrego, Daniel, Escola Politécnica da USP. "Fuel Gas Interchangeability". Retrieved 8 Sep 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)