LOWER HEATING VALUE Meaning and
Definition
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Lower heating value (LHV) refers to the amount of heat released during the complete combustion of a given substance, typically a fuel, at constant pressure. It is a specific measurement used to gauge the energy content of a fuel by determining the heat liberated per unit mass or volume when burning the substance entirely.
The lower heating value takes into account the heat released from the combustion of a fuel while also considering the latent heat of vaporization of any water vapor produced in the process. This value excludes the heat contained within the water vapor, as it is typically lost as waste heat during condensation.
The calculation of the lower heating value involves subtracting the latent heat of vaporization of the water vapor from the higher heating value (HHV) or gross heating value, which includes all the heat content within the fuel and the water vapor produced.
The lower heating value is widely used in industries involved in energy generation, such as the electrical power sector, as it provides a more accurate representation of the useful energy content of a fuel. It helps to optimize the efficiency of combustion processes, ensuring efficient utilization of the fuel and reducing energy wastage.
The lower heating value is expressed in units of energy per unit mass (e.g., kJ/kg) or energy per unit volume (e.g., BTU/scf) of the fuel being burned.
