FUELS & LUBRICATIONS

GLOSSARY OF GASEOUS FUEL TERMS

1A
Many terms are used when discussing gaseous fuels used in internal combustion engines. Several national and
international organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical engineers (ASME), Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE), Diesel Engine Manufacturers Association (DEMA), the American Gas Association
(AGA), and others, have published definitions of terms.
Unfortunately, these definitions do not always agree. For example, there are several slightly different definitions
of "standard" atmospheric conditions. To eliminate confusion, this standard sheet defines terms as they are
used by Waukesha Engine Division.
AIR/FUEL RATIO (A/F or AFR): This is a ratio between the mass of air and the mass of fuel flowing into an
engine.
A/F = mass flow rate of air
mass flow rate of fuel
It is the reciprocal of the Fuel/Air ratio:
A/F = 1/ F/A
It may also be specified on a volume basis:
A/F) volume = volume flow rate of air
volume flow rate of fuel
A/F)volume = A/F)mass x Fuel Specific Gravity
BEST ECONOMY: The standard carburetor setting which will give the lowest fuel consumption while
maintaining normal engine stability, load response, and continuous power capability. This setting is typically 1-
1/2" Hg. lean of the best power carburetor setting. This setting does not give the lowest possible fuel
consumption. This air/fuel ratio is lean of stoichiometry.
BEST POWER: The standard carburetor setting which will give the highest maximum power level at wide open
throttle. This setting produces the lowest intake manifold pressure on turbocharged engines or the highest
intake manifold vacuum on naturally aspirated engines. This air/fuel ratio is rich of stoichiometry.
BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU): The amount of heat energy that must be added to one pound (avoirdupois) of
pure water to raise its temperature from 58.5°F to 59.5°F under one atmospheric (101.325 kPa) pressure.
1 Btu = 1055.07 Joule
CALORIMETER: A device for measuring the heating value of a fuel. The heating value is usually obtained by
using the heat released from burning the fuel to warm a stream of air and measuring the rise in temperature of
the air. The streams of fuel gas and heat absorbing air are kept in a fixed proportion to each other by metering
devices geared together and driven by
a single electric motor. If a water flow type calorimeter is used, the gas metered to the unit is saturated with
water vapor and the resulting heating value is saturated.
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON: A hydrocarbon molecule in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been
replaced by chlorine atoms. Burning of chlorinated hydrocarbons in an engine can result in formation of
corrosive compounds or acid. See Waukesha's Gaseous Fuel Specification, S7884-6 or most recent edition, for
more information on chlorine bearing fuel.
COMPRESSIBILITY FACTOR (Z): This is a measure of the deviation of a real gas from ideal behavior. A gas
completely fills any space in which it is placed. An ideal gas, by definition, follows the simple equation:
pV = RT

Where p = absolute pressure

V = specific volume
R = a constant
T = absolute temperature

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Real gases approach this behavior at very low pressures but depart significantly at high temperatures and
pressures. It is convenient to account for this deviation by using experimentally determined compressibility
factors, Z, applied to the basic equation:
pV = ZRT
Z factors are usually obtained from published curves and must be used at high temperatures and pressures or a
large error will result. At low temperatures and pressures, compressibility can often be neglected.
Waukesha neglects compressibility when calculating fuel consumption rates. At normal fuel line conditions,
using compressibility would change fuel rate calculations by about ¼%, a value within normal fluctuation and
measurement accuracy.
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DENSITY (LB/FT ): The mass of a gas contained in one standard cubic foot of volume.
DETONATION (KNOCK): As the flame travels across the cylinder during normal combustion, the expanding
burned gas compresses the remaining unburned air/fuel mixture. This can raise the temperature and pressure
of the remaining mixture to the point where it auto-ignites. The resulting almost instantaneous combustion is
called detonation and results in a severe pressure wave which can be heard as "knock".
Due to the severe pressure waves and high temperatures, continued operation of an engine with detonation can
result in damage to pistons, piston rings, cylinder heads, and exhaust valves which may eventually end in
complete failure.
Detonation may lead to overheating of the spark plug, or other cylinder or head areas, causing preignition.
DIGESTER GAS: A fuel gas formed by the anerobic decomposition of organic matter in a digester. It is
composed primarily of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The low heat value normally ranges from
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500-600 Btu/FT (19.66-23.59 MJ/m ).
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a common trace constituent.
DRY: Dry gas, as used by the internal combustion engine industry, does not refer to water but means a gas free
of liquid hydrocarbons.
EQUIVALENCE RATIO ( φ or "phi"): The actual fuel/air ratio, F/A, divided by the stoichiometric (chemically
correct) fuel/air ratio, F/As..
φ = F/A
F/As
It is equal to the reciprocal of the excess air, or lambda, ratio:
φ=1
λ
It is a measure of the mixture strength, ie., richness or leanness of engine operation.
EXCESS AIR: The amount of air provided to a combustion process over and above the amount needed for
complete, chemically correct, burning of the amount of fuel provided.
EXCESS AIR RATIO (λ or "lambda"): A ratio of the amount of air provided to a combustion process to the
stoichiometric (chemically correct) amount of air. It is equivalent to the actual air/fuel ratio, A/F, divided by the
stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, A/Fs:
λ = Air = A/F
Airs A/Fs
It is equal to the reciprocal of the equivalence ratio, φ:
λ=1
φ
It is a measure of the mixture strength, ie., richness or leanness of engine operation. It is usually used to
describe lean operation.

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FLAMMABILITY LIMITS: The limits of composition of mixtures of fuel and air within which flame travel will take place
when the mixture is ignited. The lower limit corresponds to the least amount of fuel and the upper limit corresponds to
the most amount of fuel, which will sustain flame travel in a given amount of air. Flammability limits depend on
pressure, temperature, ignition energy, and combustion chamber shape. The limits are usually given at standard
atmospheric conditions.
FUEL/AIR RATIO (F/A or FAR): This is a ratio between the mass of fuel and the mass of air flowing into an engine.
F/A = mass flow rate of fuel
mass flow rate of air
It is the reciprocal of the mass air/fuel ratio:
F/A = 1/ A/F) mass
GAS CHROMATOGRAPH: An instrument used to analyze a gas sample. A typical chromatograph is composed of a
column filled with a packing material through which a steady flow of a carrier gas, such as helium or air, moves. A
sample of the gas to be analyzed is injected into the carrier gas and passes through the column where each
component of the gas is retarded at an individual rate. Each component, therefore, will exit the column at a
characteristic time. Suitable detectors in the carrier gas stream sense each component of the test gas as it exits the
column. The composition of the test gas is determined from a strip chart record of the detector's output. The time of
each peak is characteristic of a specific gas and the peak's height and area are proportional to the amount of that gas
in the sample.
HALOGEN: Any of the elements found in column VIIA of the Periodic Table. These include fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, and astatine. The first two, fluorine and chlorine, are commonly found in landfill gases. See Waukesha's Fuel
Gas Specification, S7884-6 or most recent edition, for more information.
HEATING VALUE: The amount of energy contained in a volume of gas. See High Heat Value and Low Heat Value.
3 3
Expressed in various units but typically Btu/standard cubic foot (Btu/FT ) in English units and MJ/m (Mega
Joules/normal cubic meter) in metric units.
The English system standard cubic foot is commonly at 60° and 30" Hga pressure. The metric system normal cubic
meter is commonly at a combustion temperature of 25°C and separate metering conditions of 0 °C and 101.325 kPa
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pressure. This is expressed as MJ/m [25, V(0;101.325)].
HIGH HEAT VALUE (HHV): The total energy released from one standard cubic foot of fuel gas when the products of
combustion are cooled to the same pressure and temperature as the original air and fuel mixture. This includes the
heat of vaporization of any water formed during combustion since the cooling causes the water vapor to become liquid.
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Normally given in Btu/FT (MJ/m ).
HIGHEST EXHAUST TEMPERATURE (HET): The standard carburetor setting which will give the highest exhaust
manifold temperature. The air/fuel ratio is slightly lean of stoichiometry but is often used to approximate stoichiometric
operation due to the ease of temperature measurement.
IDEAL GAS: Since each different gas has a unique internal structure, it will react differently to changes in pressure
and temperature. But, as pressure is reduced toward zero, all gases act more and more alike. This leads to the
concept of an ideal gas which, by definition, follows the simple formula:
pV = RT
Where
p = absolute pressure
V = specific volume
R = a constant
T = absolute temperature
The behavior of most gases at low temperatures and pressures can be accurately estimated by assuming them to be
ideal and using the simple equation. At high pressures, or when extra accuracy is needed, a compressibility factor is
used.

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LANDFILL GAS: A fuel gas formed by the decomposition of landfill refuse. It is composed primarily of methane (CH4)
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and carbon dioxide (CO2). The low heat value normally ranges from 450 - 550 Btu/FT (17.69 - 21.62 MJ/m ). Chlorine
and fluorine bearing compounds and siloxanes are common trace components.
LEAN OPERATION: Operation of an engine when more air than necessary for complete combustion of the fuel is
supplied. Lambda (λ) is greater than 1.0 and phi ( φ ) is less than 1.0.
LOW HEAT VALUE (LHV): The energy released from one standard cubic foot of fuel gas when the products of
combustion are cooled to the same pressure and temperature as the original air and fuel mixture. This does not
include the heat of vaporization of any water formed during combustion since the water vapor is assumed to remain
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gaseous. Normally given in Btu/FT (MJ/m ).
Since water vapor does not condense in an engine under normal circumstances, an engine can only utilize the low
heat value of a fuel for producing power. It is an accepted industry standard, therefore, to use the low heat value in all
calculations regarding engine performance and fuel consumption.
MOLECULAR WEIGHT (MW): The relative weight of a molecule of a specific gas which may be calculated from its
atomic structure. The most common molecule of carbon (C-12) has been defined as having a molecular weight of
exactly 12.0000.
The apparent molecular weight of a gas mixture is the sum of the proportionate molecular weights of the component
gases.
NATURAL GAS: A naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and other gases found beneath the earth's surface,
often in connection with liquid petroleum. The principle constituent is usually methane (CH4 ). Minor components are
heavier hydrocarbons and other gases such as nitrogen (N2 ), carbon dioxide (CO2), helium (He), argon (Ar), oxygen
(O2 ), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
PARTS-PER-MILLION (ppmv or ppmw): A ratio calculated on the basis of the whole being divided into one million
3
equal parts. The value may be calculated on a volume (ppmv) or weight (ppmw) basis. For example, if 1 FT of helium
3
is mixed with 99FT of nitrogen, there is 10000 ppmv of helium in the mixture.
Note that 10000 ppm equals 1%.
PERCENT (%V or % w): A ratio calculated on the basis of the whole being divided into a hundred equal parts. The
value may be calculated on a volume (%V) or weight (%w) basis. For example, if 1 pound of salt is mixed with 99
pounds of sugar, the mixture contains 1.0%w salt.
Note that 1.0% equals 10000 ppm.
PREIGNITION: Ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder before the timed spark occurs. It is usually caused by a
hot spot, such as an over-heated spark plug, within the combustion chamber. Preignition has essentially the same
effects on engine operation as advanced timing. Severe preignition causes loss of power, increased fuel consumption,
rough operation and may damage engine components.
RICH OPERATION: Operation of an engine when less air than necessary for complete combustion of the fuel is
supplied. Lambda (λ) is less than 1.0 and phi ( φ ) is greater than 1.0.
SATURATED GAS: A hydrocarbon mixture saturated with water vapor; ie. 100% relative humidity. Both high and low
heating values may be given on a saturated or unsaturated basis. Waukesha follows DEMA recommended practice
and uses the saturated low heat value of a fuel gas for all performance and fuel consumption calculations.
To convert from an unsaturated to a saturated heating value multiply by .9826:
Saturated heating value = .9826 x unsaturated heating value.
SILOXANES: The name siloxane is derived from silicone + oxygen + methane. It refers to compounds containing
alternate silicon and oxygen atoms in either a linear or cyclic arrangement; usually with two organic (carbon +
hydrogen) groups attached to each silicone atom. Siloxanes are very commonly used in shampoos, deodorants,
cosmetics, lubricants, inks, paper, polishes, and water proofing agents. Siloxanes, therefore, are commonly found, in
widely varying amounts, in both digester and landfill gases. Engines using these gases as fuel are susceptible to
deposits on cylinder heads, exhaust valves, spark plugs, and gas admission valves. See Waukesha's Gaseous Fuel
Specification, S-7884-6 or most recent version, for more information.

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SOUR GAS: A gas containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or other sulfur compounds. One definition of a sour gas is that it
has more than 1.5 grains of H2S per hundred cubic feet or a total sulfur content of more than 30 grains per hundred
cubic feet.
Note: 7000 grains = 1 Lb.
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635 grains of H2S per 100 FT of Natural Gas = 1%v.
Burning of a gas containing sulfur in an engine can result in the formation of corrosive acid. For further information see
Waukesha's Gaseous Fuel Specification, S7884-6 or most recent edition.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SG): A ratio of the density of the gaseous fuel, under specific conditions of temperature and
pressure, to the density of dry air at the same temperature and pressure.
STANDARD ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS: Standard atmospheric conditions are defined differently by various
organizations. Standard atmospheric conditions used by Waukesha for engine rating and performance are the same
as those of ISO 3046/1, SAE J1349 and BS5514:
Ts = 25°C = 77°F
Ps (total) = 100 kPa = 29.54 inches Hg = 1 BAR
= 14.50 psia
Ps(dry = 99 kPa = 29.24 inches Hg = .99 BAR
= 14.36 psia
Relative Humidity = 30.0%
STANDARD CUBIC FOOT (SCF): A standard cubic foot of gas is that amount of the gas which exactly fills a 1 cubic
foot volume at standard conditions. As with standard atmospheric conditions, there are several sets of standard
conditions for a standard cubic foot of gas. Waukesha, along with many other organizations, uses the following in the
English system of units:
T = 60.0 °F (15.6°C)
P = 30.00" Hga (101.57 kPa)
A condition of complete water saturation.
Note that the conditions for a standard cubic foot of gas are different from those of the standard atmosphere.
STOICHOIMETRIC MIXTURE: The chemically correct mixture of fuel and air which enables the complete burning of
the combustible portion of the fuel with zero remaining oxygen. Both lambda (λ) and phi (ϕ) equal 1.0.
SUPERCOMPRESSIBILITY FACTOR (F): A value based on the compressibility factor:
1
F=
Z
SWEET GAS: A natural gas which contains no sulfur compounds and very little carbon dioxide.
UNSATURATED GAS: A hydrocarbon mixture with zero, or negligible, water vapor content. Both high and low heating
values may be given on a saturated or unsaturated basis. Waukesha follows DEMA recommended practice and uses
the saturated low heat value of a fuel gas for all performance and fuel consumption calculations.
To convert from a saturated to an unsaturated heating value divide by .9826:
Unsaturated Heating Value = Saturated Heating Value
.9826
TM TM
WAUKESHA KNOCK INDEX (WKI ):, Waukesha's proprietary fuel knock resistance scale for gaseous fuels
determined from a basis of methane = 100 and hydrogen = 0. It includes the knock resistance effects of certain inert
gases and is extended to values greater than 100 through the use of a nine gas mix matrix. The Waukesha Knock
TM
Index is calculated from a Windows based computer program available from Waukesha's Application Engineering
Department.
WET: Wet gas, as used by the internal combustion engine industry, does not refer to water but means a gas with a
relatively high percentage of component gases which could be liquid at normal temperatures, i.e. Butanes and heavier.
TM TM
WKI : See Waukesha Knock Index

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DICTIONARY OF GASEOUS FUEL TERMS S
DATE: 3/98
7898-2