The Calorific Value is calculated on the basis of Kilo joule (kJ) per Kilogram ( Kg)
Or simply as kJ/Kg.

Calculating Calorific Value of Fuel

The calorific value of fuel refers to the amount of heat energy released when a specific amount of fuel is burned. It is an important parameter used to compare the efficiency and quality of different fuels. The calorific value is typically measured in units of energy per unit mass or volume, such as joules per kilogram (J/kg) or kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg).

There are two methods commonly used to calculate the calorific value of a fuel:
1. Bomb Calorimeter Method
2. Dulong's Formula

1. Bomb Calorimeter Method:
The bomb calorimeter method is a direct measurement technique that involves burning a known amount of fuel in a controlled environment and measuring the heat released. Here are the steps involved:

- Take a sample of fuel, typically in the form of a solid pellet or liquid droplet.
- Place the fuel sample in a bomb calorimeter, which is a strong and sealed container.
- Fill the bomb calorimeter with a known amount of water and note its initial temperature.
- Ignite the fuel sample using an electric spark.
- Allow the fuel to burn completely while stirring the water in the calorimeter to ensure uniform heat distribution.
- Measure the final temperature of the water after the fuel has burned completely.
- Calculate the heat released by the fuel using the equation: Heat released = mass of water × specific heat capacity of water × temperature rise.
- Determine the calorific value of the fuel by dividing the heat released by the mass of fuel burned.

2. Dulong's Formula:
Dulong's formula is an empirical formula used to estimate the calorific value of solid and liquid fuels. It is based on the elemental composition of the fuel and assumes that the heat of combustion is primarily determined by the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen content. The formula is as follows:

Calorific value (CV) = 8080C + 34500(H - (O/8))

Where:
- CV is the calorific value in kcal/kg
- C is the percentage of carbon in the fuel
- H is the percentage of hydrogen in the fuel
- O is the percentage of oxygen in the fuel

Note: Dulong's formula is not accurate for fuels containing significant amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, or other elements. In such cases, the bomb calorimeter method is preferred for accurate measurements.

Conclusion:
Calculating the calorific value of a fuel is essential for assessing its energy content and efficiency. The bomb calorimeter method provides a direct measurement, while Dulong's formula offers an estimation based on the elemental composition. Both methods are valuable tools for comparing and evaluating different types of fuels.