Higher Heating Value (HHV) Calculator

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The Gross Energy Content of a Fuel

Higher heating value assumes all water vapor produced by combustion condenses back to liquid, recovering its latent heat. Dulong's formula estimates HHV directly from a fuel's elemental composition.

The Formula

HHV = 33.9C + 144.4(H − O/8) + 9.4S

C, H, O, S are mass fractions from ultimate analysis; the result is in MJ/kg.

Worked Example

A coal sample that's 75% carbon, 5% hydrogen, 8% oxygen, and 1.5% sulfur:

HHV = 33.9(0.75) + 144.4(0.05 − 0.08/8) + 9.4(0.015) = 30.86 MJ/kg

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter Carbon and Hydrogen percentage by mass.
  2. Enter Oxygen and Sulfur percentage if known (optional).
  3. Select Calculate to get HHV in MJ/kg.

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Need the net heating value instead? See the Lower Heating Value (LHV) Calculator, or verify against a lab test in the Calorific Value Calculator.