BTU to CFH Converter
Convert heat load from BTU per hour to Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH) for various gases.
British Thermal Units (BTU) to Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH) Conversion
To convert British Thermal Units (BTU) to Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH), we need to account for the energy content specific to each gas. The general formula is:
Conversion Formula ⚡
The formula becomes:
CFH = BTU/hr ÷ Energy content per cubic foot (BTU/ft³)Where:
- CFH = Cubic Feet per Hour
- BTU/hr = British Thermal Units per hour
- Energy content per cubic foot = Specific to the gas being used
Energy Content per Cubic Foot (BTU/ft³):
- Natural Gas: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Propane: ~2,500 BTU/ft³
- Butane: ~3,200 BTU/ft³
- Methane: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Ethane: ~1,500 BTU/ft³
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): ~2,500 BTU/ft³ (similar to propane)
Key Insight:
This formula helps determine the flow rate of gas required to achieve a specific heating requirement based on BTU.
📚 Detailed Understanding of Terms
📊 British Thermal Units (BTU)
BTU is a unit of heat energy:
- Scientific Definition: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- Common Usage: Used in heating and cooling systems, such as HVAC units and refrigerators.
🌬️ Cubic Feet per Hour (CFH)
CFH is a measure of gas flow rate:
- Scientific Definition: The volume of gas that flows in one hour, measured in cubic feet.
- Common Applications: Used in gas appliances and HVAC systems to specify gas flow rates for heating.
🎯 Quick Examples
Understanding the conversion:
- For a heating requirement of 10,000 BTU/hr using Natural Gas:
CFH = 10,000 ÷ 1,000 = 10 CFH - For a heating requirement of 10,000 BTU/hr using Propane:
CFH = 10,000 ÷ 2,500 = 4 CFH
Remember: Adjust the BTU value and energy content based on your specific gas and heating needs!
BTU to CFH Conversion
Formula: CFH = BTU/hr ÷ Energy Content per Cubic Foot (BTU/ft³)
Energy Content per Cubic Foot:
- Natural Gas: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Propane: ~2,500 BTU/ft³
- Butane: ~3,200 BTU/ft³
- Methane: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Ethane: ~1,500 BTU/ft³
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): ~2,500 BTU/ft³
Results:
Example Values
| BTU/hr | Energy Content (BTU/ft³) | CFH |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 BTU/hr | 1,000 BTU/ft³ | 1.00 CFH |
| 2,500 BTU/hr | 2,500 BTU/ft³ | 1.00 CFH |
| 5,000 BTU/hr | 1,000 BTU/ft³ | 5.00 CFH |
| 10,000 BTU/hr | 2,500 BTU/ft³ | 4.00 CFH |
| 15,000 BTU/hr | 3,200 BTU/ft³ | 4.69 CFH |
| 20,000 BTU/hr | 1,500 BTU/ft³ | 13.33 CFH |
BTU to CFH Conversion FAQs
To convert from BTUs to CFH (Cubic Feet per Hour), use the formula:
Where:
- CFH = Cubic Feet per Hour
- BTU/hr = Heat load in BTUs per hour
- Energy Content per Cubic Foot varies by gas type:
- Natural Gas: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Propane: ~2,500 BTU/ft³
- Butane: ~3,200 BTU/ft³
- Methane: ~1,000 BTU/ft³
- Ethane: ~1,500 BTU/ft³
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): ~2,500 BTU/ft³ (similar to propane)
This formula allows you to determine the required flow rate of gas to meet a specific energy demand.
Here’s how to use the formula:
- Determine the heat load in BTU/hr.
- Identify the type of gas and its energy content per cubic foot.
- Plug the values into the formula to calculate CFH.
For example, if you have a heat load of 10,000 BTU/hr using propane:
The energy content per cubic foot is crucial for determining how much gas is needed to produce a specific amount of energy. Different gases have different energy contents, which affects the flow rate required to meet heating or cooking demands.
This conversion is particularly useful in:
- Heating system design and analysis
- Calculating fuel requirements for appliances that use gas
- Energy audits and efficiency assessments
- Estimating costs for gas usage
Understanding the conversion helps in making informed decisions regarding energy usage and costs.
