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Gas Chromatograph BTU Analysis Calculator

Per GPA 2172 & GPA 2145 - Composition-Based Heating Value

GPA 2172 Gas Chromatograph BTU Analysis
Calculates heating value, specific gravity, molecular weight, compressibility factor, Wobbe Index, and methane number from extended gas chromatograph composition data. Supports multiple base pressure conventions and C6+ characterization options.

Primary Components (mol%)

mol%
mol%
mol%
mol%
mol%
mol%
mol%
mol%

Non-Hydrocarbons (mol%)

mol%
mol%
mol%
Pipeline-quality limit: 4 ppm (0.0004 mol%)
mol%
mol%
Pipeline-quality limit: 7 lb/MMSCF
Total: 99.65%

Analysis Options

Base pressure for standard volume and heating value
Heavier characterization increases calculated HV
Adjusts all components proportionally if total is not exactly 100%

GPA 2172 Equations

HVideal = Σ(yi × HVi)
HVreal = HVideal / Zb
SG = MWmix / 28.9647
Wobbe = HVreal,gross / √SG
Zb = 1 − (Σ yi·√bi)2  (GPA 2172 summation factor)

Standards & References

  • GPA 2172
    Calculation of Gross Heating Value, Relative Density, Compressibility and Theoretical Hydrocarbon Liquid Content (the calculation method used here)
  • GPA 2261
    Analysis for Natural Gas and Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas Chromatography (composition input)
  • GPA 2145
    Table of Physical Constants of Paraffin Hydrocarbons and Other Components
  • AGA Report No. 8
    Compressibility Factors of Natural Gas (basis of the summation-factor method)
  • ISO 6976
    Calculation of Calorific Values and Related Properties

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the GC BTU analysis calculator compute?

It calculates heating value, specific gravity, molecular weight, compressibility, and Wobbe Index from gas chromatograph composition data, using the GPA 2172 calculation method with GPA 2145 component constants.

What is GPA 2172?

GPA 2172 is the industry standard method for calculating the gross heating value, relative density, and compressibility of a natural gas mixture from its component composition. It uses the summation-factor compressibility Z = 1 − (Σ yi√bi)2. GPA 2261 is the separate standard that governs the gas-chromatograph analysis used to obtain the composition.

What is the Wobbe Index?

The Wobbe Index is the heating value divided by the square root of specific gravity, used to compare the combustion characteristics of different fuel gases.