Standardkubikmetern

Standardkubikmetern is a unit of volume used for gases that expresses the amount of gas at a defined set of standard conditions. It serves to compare gas quantities independent of the actual temperature and pressure at which the gas was measured or stored. In practice, standardkubikmetern denotes a cubic meter of gas when it is under reference temperature and pressure, allowing consistent accounting and trade.

The exact standard conditions are not universal and can vary by region and sector. Common conventions include a temperature of 0°C with a pressure of 1 atmosphere (101.325 kPa), while some markets use alternative reference temperatures such as 15°C, 20°C, or 25°C. Because gas volume depends on temperature and pressure, standardkubikmetern provides a standardized basis for reporting and comparing quantities.

Mathematically, if a gas is measured at volume V, temperature T, and pressure P, its volume at standard conditions T_std and P_std is V_std = V × (P / P_std) × (T_std / T), assuming ideal gas behavior. Real gases may require corrections for non-ideal behavior, especially at high pressures or low temperatures.

Applications of standardkubikmetern include natural gas accounting, industrial gas trading, and energy calculations, where quantities are reported in standard conditions to reflect a consistent basis for comparison. The calorific value or energy content of the gas also depends on its composition, so reporting V_std alone does not determine total energy without accompanying compositional data.

See also: normal cubic meter, standard temperature and pressure, cubic meter.