calorific value of liquid fuel

The calorific value or the heat value of a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel is defined as the
number of heat units developed by the complete combustion of unit mass or unit normal
volume of a given fuel. It may be expressed as kJ/kg or kJ/normal m 3.

Sometimes it is also expressed by the name calorific power. In combustion work the
term calorific intensity is used which means the maximum temperature attained in a
given combustion. For gaseous fuels the calorific value is expressed as kJ/m 3 measured
at STP.
Any fuel containing available hydrogen will form water vapour during the process of
combustion. If, in cooling the products of combustion back to initial temperature, usually
room temperature or near it, all of the water vapour formed during combustion is
condensed and thus we shall abstract from the products of combustion the maximum
heat energy possible.
This is known as the higher, gross or total heat value of the fuel. If during the cooling
process to room temperature none of the water vapour formed by the combustion of fuel
is condensed, we shall abstract from the products of combustion an amount of heat less
than the higher heat value by the quantity of heat carried away by the uncondensed
vapour. This smaller heat value is called the lower or net heat value of the fuel.

The calorific value of a fuel can be determined:

(i) By calculations when the composition of fuel by mass is known.
(ii) By actual experiment.