Formula Used
Net power: Net kW = Rated kW × Load factor
Fuel energy input: Fuel kWh/h = Net kW ÷ Efficiency × Extra factor
Extra factor: 1 + Maintenance factor + Reserve factor
Fuel mass flow: kg/h = Fuel energy MJ/h ÷ Heating value MJ/kg
Fuel volume flow: Sm³/h = kg/h ÷ Gas density
Heat rate: Btu/kWh = Fuel Btu/h ÷ Net kW
Total cost: Total fuel amount × Fuel price
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the turbine rated power and choose the power unit.
- Add the thermal efficiency at the planned operating condition.
- Enter the fuel heating value and select its unit.
- Add gas density for mass and volume conversion.
- Enter operating hours, load factor, and availability.
- Add maintenance and reserve factors for practical planning.
- Enter fuel price and emission factor.
- Press calculate, or export the result as CSV or PDF.
Example Data Table
| Case |
Power |
Efficiency |
Heating Value |
Density |
Hours |
Load |
| Small turbine |
5 MW |
31% |
50 MJ/kg |
0.80 kg/Sm³ |
12 |
75% |
| Industrial turbine |
25 MW |
34% |
50 MJ/kg |
0.80 kg/Sm³ |
24 |
85% |
| Large turbine |
100 MW |
38% |
37 MJ/Sm³ |
0.78 kg/Sm³ |
24 |
90% |
Fuel Gas Planning for Gas Turbines
Why fuel use matters
A gas turbine turns fuel energy into shaft power or electric power. The fuel bill often becomes the largest operating cost. A small error in fuel flow can change daily budgets, heat rate reviews, and emissions reports. This calculator helps operators make a clear first estimate. It connects load, efficiency, heating value, density, runtime, and price in one worksheet.
Core calculation idea
The required fuel energy depends on output power and efficiency. Higher efficiency needs less fuel for the same output. Lower heating value gives a larger fuel flow. The tool can report mass flow, standard volume flow, hourly fuel use, daily fuel use, total fuel, energy input, estimated cost, and carbon dioxide. It also shows heat rate. Heat rate is useful because many gas turbine reports use Btu per kilowatt hour.
Inputs that affect accuracy
Use the real operating load, not only rated capacity. Add load factor when the turbine runs below nameplate output. Use a measured fuel heating value when possible. Natural gas quality changes by source and season. Density also changes with reference conditions. A maintenance factor can represent compressor fouling, inlet losses, or aging. A reserve factor can cover start losses, trips, and control margin.
Practical operating notes
This result is an engineering estimate. It is not a guarantee of site performance. Actual use may change with inlet air temperature, altitude, humidity, pressure losses, part load controls, fuel composition, and turbine degradation. For contracts, testing, and compliance, use plant instruments and manufacturer curves. For early planning, the calculator gives a fast and transparent result. It also supports exports, so teams can save values for reports, bids, fuel scheduling, and daily production planning.
Better decisions
Fuel planning improves when each assumption is visible. Compare several cases. Change efficiency, heating value, price, and runtime. Watch how total fuel and cost respond. This makes sensitivity checks easier. It also helps users see why clean filters, correct tuning, and stable fuel quality matter. The best estimate comes from current plant data and careful review. Keep records from each run. Stored exports make audits simpler. They also show trends before fuel waste becomes expensive or output starts falling during operation periods.
FAQs
What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates gas turbine fuel gas use from power, efficiency, heating value, density, runtime, load, and correction factors. It returns mass flow, volume flow, total fuel, heat rate, cost, and carbon dioxide.
Can I use lower heating value?
Yes. Enter the lower heating value when your efficiency is based on lower heating value. Keep the efficiency basis and heating value basis the same for a consistent result.
What is the load factor?
Load factor shows the operating load compared with rated output. A 25 MW turbine running at 80% load is treated as 20 MW net operating output before efficiency is applied.
Why is gas density needed?
Gas density converts mass flow into standard volume flow. It is useful when fuel data is mass based, but purchase, metering, or reporting is volume based.
What does maintenance factor mean?
Maintenance factor adds extra fuel allowance for fouling, aging, inlet loss, or plant condition. Use a small value for clean equipment and a higher value for conservative planning.
How is heat rate calculated?
Heat rate is fuel energy input divided by electrical output. This tool reports it in Btu per kilowatt hour, a common unit for gas turbine performance review.
Can this replace manufacturer curves?
No. It is a planning tool. Manufacturer curves, site tests, and plant meters should be used for warranty, contract, acceptance, and compliance work.
Why do actual results differ?
Actual fuel use changes with temperature, altitude, humidity, fuel composition, pressure loss, part load control, degradation, and measurement conditions. Use current site data for best accuracy.