I was trying to determine density o 1

[newengr]

I was trying to determine density of the following chemicals:

1) Natural gas
2) Diesal
3) Propane

Also, what type of firing (front, tangential, opposed) for most space heaters, boilers, hot water heaters?

 

[mbeychok]

There are different grades of diesel oil and the density will vary somewhat with the grade as well as with the temperature. In general, the density of a typical diesel oil at 15-20 [°]C is 845 kg/m³.

The density of liquid propane at 15-20 [°]C is 505 kg/m³.

The density of any gas will vary with the molecular weight, temperature and pressure of the gas. The following equation can be used to calculate gas densities in kg/m³:

kg/m³ = (MW / 0.082057) (atm / [°]K)

where:
MW = molecular weight of the gas
atm = absolute pressure of the gas, in atmospheres
[°]K = temperature of the gas in [°]K = 273 + [°]C

As an example, assuming the gaseous propane (MW = 44) is at 20 [°]C and at 1 atmosphere of pressure:

kg/m³ = (44 / 0.082057) (1 /293) = 1.83

As another example, natural gas is usually about 95% or more of methane. Assuming it is 100% methane (MW = 16) and that it is at 20 [°]C and at 1 atmosphere of pressure:

kg/m³ = (16 / 0.082057) (1 /293) = 0.67

You can plug in your actual gas temperatures and pressures into the above equation and thus calculate your gas densities.

Milton Beychok
mbeychok@xxx.net (replace xxx with cox)
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)