In the boiler efficiency example, which value represents the fuel energy content per pound?

• A. 18,000 Btu per pound
• B. 20,000 Btu per pound
• C. 19,000 Btu per pound
• D. 25,000 Btu per pound

Answer: (C)

Fuel energy content per pound is the heating value of the fuel—the amount of energy released when one pound of fuel is completely burned. In boiler efficiency problems, this value lets you convert how much fuel is being used (mass per time) into the actual energy input in Btu. The example uses 19,000 Btu per pound because that is the assumed heating value for the fuel in that scenario, matching the data and the way the energy balance is set up. Different numbers would imply a different fuel or a different heating-value basis (for example, using a higher or lower heating value), which would not fit the given setup.