Relationship between HHV and LHV of gaseous propane

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SUMMARY

The Lower Heating Value (LHV) of gaseous propane is calculated using the formula LHV = HHV - nΔHvap, where HHV is the Higher Heating Value. Given that the HHV of propane is 2220.0 kJ/mol, the correct LHV is determined to be approximately 2044 kJ/mol after accounting for the heat of vaporization of water produced during combustion. The combustion reaction of propane is represented as C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O, indicating that for every mole of propane, four moles of water are produced, which is essential for calculating the LHV accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Higher Heating Value (HHV) and Lower Heating Value (LHV)
  • Knowledge of heat of vaporization (ΔHvap) and its application in combustion calculations
  • Familiarity with stoichiometry in chemical reactions
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to combustion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of heat of vaporization and its role in thermodynamic calculations
  • Learn about combustion reactions and how to balance chemical equations
  • Explore the differences between HHV and LHV in various fuels
  • Investigate the implications of LHV in energy efficiency and fuel selection
USEFUL FOR

Chemical engineers, thermodynamics students, and professionals involved in energy production and fuel analysis will benefit from this discussion on the heating values of propane.

MickeyBlue
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Homework Statement


The Higher Heating Value (HHV) of gaseous propane is given as 2220.0 kJ/mol. What is the value of the Lower Heating Value (LHV) of gaseous propane?

Data for water (all in kJ/mol):
H(g, 25 deg. C) = 45.85 ;
H(g, 100 deg. C) = 48.17 ;
H(l, 25 deg. C) = 1.886 ;
H(l, 100 deg. C) = 7.544 ;
∆Hvap(25 deg. C) = 43.97 ;
∆Hvap(100 deg. C) = 40.63

A. 2057 kJ/mol
  • B. 2387 kJ/mol
  • C. 2044 kJ/mol
  • D. 2014 kJ/mol
  • E. 2035 kJ/mol

Homework Equations


HHV = LHV + nΔHvap
I know LHV is HHV less heat of vaporisation of water, but the idea of calculating from what I think is the reference state is confusing me. I realize I may be missing something obvious, but we didn't spend long covering this topic.

The Attempt at a Solution


LHV = HHV - nΔHvap

LHV = (2220) - Hsensible - (ΔHvap - ΔHvap, ref))
= (2220) - (7.544 - 1.886) - (40.63 - 43.97)
= 2218 kJ/mol
 
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I'll give this one a try since nobody else has replied yet.

Caveat: This subject is not my area of expertise.

MickeyBlue said:

Homework Statement


The Higher Heating Value (HHV) of gaseous propane is given as 2220.0 kJ/mol. What is the value of the Lower Heating Value (LHV) of gaseous propane?

Data for water (all in kJ/mol):
H(g, 25 deg. C) = 45.85 ;
H(g, 100 deg. C) = 48.17 ;
H(l, 25 deg. C) = 1.886 ;
H(l, 100 deg. C) = 7.544 ;
∆Hvap(25 deg. C) = 43.97 ;
∆Hvap(100 deg. C) = 40.63

A. 2057 kJ/mol
  • B. 2387 kJ/mol
  • C. 2044 kJ/mol
  • D. 2014 kJ/mol
  • E. 2035 kJ/mol

Homework Equations


HHV = LHV + nΔHvap
I know LHV is HHV less heat of vaporisation of water, but the idea of calculating from what I think is the reference state is confusing me. I realize I may be missing something obvious, but we didn't spend long covering this topic.

The Attempt at a Solution


LHV = HHV - nΔHvap

LHV = (2220) - Hsensible - (ΔHvap - ΔHvap, ref))
= (2220) - (7.544 - 1.886) - (40.63 - 43.97)
= 2218 kJ/mol

Question: Answer C is in boldface in your original post. Is it in boldface because it is the correct answer? (I just want to make sure. It's not clear why it is in boldface in the original post.)

You might find this description of HHV and LHV useful:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_of_combustion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_of_combustion
I do not understand what you are doing with Hsensible. What is that?

Nor do I understand why you are subtracting one ΔHvap from another.

One of the things you will need to determine before arriving at the correct answer is to determine how many moles of water are in the products compared to the number of moles of propane.

In other words, for every mole of propane in the combustion, there will be n moles of water that are produced in the products. What is n?
 
*Update: I've since come the right answer of 2044 kJ/mol.

Thank you for the input, collinsmark. My confusion here was brought about by other methods I know to calculate heat of a general reaction. You're exactly right. I neglected to write out a balanced equation for the combustion reaction, which is:

C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O

Sensible heat was meant to represent a change in heat caused by a change in temperature, which I realize now doesn't factor into the LHV.

So LHV = HHV - nΔH25°Cvap = (2220) - (4×43.97) ≈ 2044 kJ/mol
 
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