MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
STEAM QUALITY DETERMINATION

NAME: Mahmud, Ali R. DATE OF PERFORMANCE: 31 Aug, 2018

STUDENT NO.: 2015151413 DATE OF SUBMISSION: 7 Sep, 2018

COURSE/SECTION: ME144L/A1

GROUP NO.: 1

SEAT NO.: 12

GRADE

Engr. Teodulo Valle

INSTRUCTOR
Steam Quality Determination

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives 1

Theories and Analysis 7

List of Apparatus 9

Procedure 11

Set-up of Apparatus 12

Final Data Sheet 13

Sample Computations 14

Discussion 15

Conclusion 18

Recommendation 19

References 20

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Steam Quality Determination

OBJECTIVES

1. To be able to determine the quality of steam produced by the MIT Boiler.

2. To be familiar in the operation of a steam throttling calorimeter

THEORY AND ANALYSIS

Steam is an odorless invisible gas consisting of vaporized water. It is usually interspersed
with minute droplets of water, which gives it a white, cloudy appearance. In nature, steam is
produced by the heating of underground water by volcanic processes and is emitted from hot
springs, geysers, fumaroles, and certain types of volcanoes. Steam also can be generated on a large
scale by technological systems, as, for example, those employing fossil-fuel-burning boilers and
nuclear reactors.
Steam power constitutes an important power source for industrial society. Water is heated
to steam in power plants, and the pressurized steam drives turbines that produce electrical current.
The thermal energy of steam is thus converted to mechanical energy, which in turn is converted
into electricity. The steam used to drive turbo-generators furnishes most of the world’s electric
power. Steam is also widely employed in such industrial processes as the manufacture of steel,
aluminum, copper, and nickel; the production of chemicals; and the refining of petroleum. In the
home, steam has long been used for cooking and heating.
Steam quality is the proportion of saturated steam (vapor) in a saturated condensate
(liquid)/ steam (vapor) mixture. A steam quality of 0 indicates 100 % liquid, (condensate) while a
steam quality of 100 indicates 100 % steam. One (1) lb of steam with 90 % steam and 10 % percent
of liquid entrainment has a steam quality of 0.9. The measurements needed to obtain a steam
quality measurement are temperature, pressure, and entrained liquid content. A high percentage
(88 % or more) of industrial steam systems use saturated steam for process applications.
Steam quality can be mathematically calculated with the help of a steam table. Steam table
consist of two sets of tables of the energy transfer properties of water and steam saturated steam
tables and superheated steam tables. The saturated steam tables are divided into two parts:
temperature tables, which list the properties according to saturation temperature (Tsat) and
pressure tables, which list them according to saturation pressure (Psat). Most practical applications
using the saturated steam tables involve steam-water mixtures. The key property of such mixtures
is steam quality (x), defined as the mass of steam present per unit mass of steam-water mixture, or
steam moisture content (y), defined as the mass of water present per unit mass of steam-water
mixture. The following notation is used in steam tables

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Steam Quality Determination

The following relationships exists between the quality of a liquid-vapor mixture and the
specific volumes, enthalpies, or entropies of both phases and of the mixture itself. These
relationships are used with the saturated steam tables.

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Steam Quality Determination

Saturated steam/vapor is a vapor at saturation temperature and pressure. It has no liquid or

moisture content. Example: Steam at 300-degree C and 8.58 MPa. It exists in complete gaseous
form and contains no liquid. The boiler operation uses chemical energy from a fuel source to
deliver energy to the boiler water. Inside the boiler, liquid gains energy from the combustion
process and changes state into saturated steam.
The following diagrams are PV of pure substance:

Pure Substance is a working substance that has homogeneous and invariable chemical
composition even though there is a change of phase.

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Steam Quality Determination

Working Substance is a substance which energy can be stored or from which energy can
be removed.
Saturation Temperature is the temperature wat which liquid start to boil and vapor start
to condense.
Compressed Liquid is a liquid at the saturation temperature or pressure whose
temperature is equal to the boiling point corresponding to the given pressure. It has no vapor
content.
Vapor is the term given to a gaseous phase that is in contact with the liquid phase.
Superheated Vapor is a vapor whose temperature is higher than the saturation temperature
corresponding to the given pressure.
Degree Superheat is the difference between the actual superheated temperature and
saturation temperature.
Degree Subcooled is the difference between the saturation temperature and the actual
subcooled temperature.
Water Vapor is a mixture of saturated vapor and saturated liquid.
Quality of Wet Vapor is the fraction or percentage by weight that is saturated vapor It is
the ratio of the mass of saturated vapor to the total mass of the mixture.
𝑚𝑔
𝑥=
𝑚𝑡
Where x = quality of wet vapor

𝑚𝑔 = mass of vapor

𝑚𝑔 = mass of the mixture (wet vapor)

Critical Point is a point that represents the pressure and temperature at which liquid and
vapor can coexist in equilibrium.
Today’s manufacturing techniques of heat transfer, control, and standards are all dedicated
to improving and providing the highest quality product to the market place. To attain the highest
quality, each manufactured component of the final product is inspected repeatedly, and measured
for its quality to ensure that it meets the manufacturer’s and consumer’s expectations. Steam is a
vital and critical part in producing the final product; therefore, steam quality should be one of the
main measurable points in producing a product in today’s manufacturing facility. All heat transfer
components (shell/tube, plate/frame, plate/coil, tracing, etc.) base performance calculations on 100
% steam quality, unless the manufacturer is informed by the end user that the steam quality is
lower than 100 %. Unfortunately, steam quality is typically not monitored closely and is assumed
to be 100 % quality. Therefore, issues that arise from poor steam quality are blamed on some other
item in the system. Based on field documentation by Swagelok Energy Advisors Inc., a high
percentage of steam systems are operating below acceptable steam quality levels.

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Steam Quality Determination

Low steam quality affects steam system operations in many ways. Below is the effect of
low steam quality:
1. Reduced heat transfer efficiency: The major problem with low steam quality is the effect on the
heat transfer equipment and process. In some cases, low steam quality can reduce heat transfer
efficiency by more than 65 %. The liquid entrained in the steam has sensible energy (16 %
estimated – varies with pressure) which has a significantly lower amount of energy than the steam
vapor’s latent energy (94 %). Therefore, less usable energy is being delivered to the steam process
equipment. Also, the additional liquid (low steam quality) collects on the wetted surface of the
heat exchanger causing an additional build-up of a liquid which reduces the ability of the steam’s
latent energy to be transfer to the product.
2. Premature Valve Failure: Liquid passing through steam control valves will erode the internals
of the valves causing premature failure.
3. Internal Turbine Component Failures: Liquid introduced with the steam in a saturated turbine
operation will reduce the life expectancy of the internal components.
4. Water hammer Steam systems are usually not designed to accommodate the additional liquid in
steam. Additional liquid creates the chance for water hammer to occur. Water hammer is a safety
issue and may cause premature failure in the steam system.
A true measurement of steam quality can be obtained from the use of a throttling
calorimeter and Ganapathy’s steam plant calculations. Unfortunately, most industrial plants do not
have the luxury or capability of doing the testing. Another way to measure steam quality is relying
on the basics of steam. Saturated steam is a dry invisible gas and only becomes visible with the
entrained air or liquid. Therefore, opening a steam valve and allowing steam to be released into
the atmosphere provides an estimate of the steam quality in the system.
If we have steam that is nearly dry, we make use of a throttling calorimeter as shown in
figure. This calorimeter is operated by first opening the stop valve fully so that the steam is not
partially throttled as it passes through the apparatus for a while to allow the pressure and
temperature to stabilize. If the pressure is very close to atmospheric pressure, the saturation should
be around 100°C, it may be assumed that the steam is superheated.

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Steam Quality Determination

When the conditions have become steady, the gauge pressure before throttling is read from
the pressure gauge. After throttling, the temperature and gauge pressure are read from the
thermometer and manometer respectively.
In the experiment, the researcher is focused on the determination of steam quality. The
formula below is utilized to determine the steam quality or the dryness fraction of steam.
ℎ𝑔2 + 𝑐𝑝 (𝑇𝑐 − 𝑇2 ) − ℎ𝑓1 Equation 1
𝑥= × 100%
ℎ𝑓𝑔1

Where:

ℎ𝑔2 = is the enthalpy at calorimeter pressure (vapor)

𝑐𝑝 = heat capacity of steam (0.46 BTU/lb)

𝑇𝑐 = calorimeter temperature

𝑇2 = saturated temperature at calorimeter pressure

ℎ𝑓1 = enthalpy at steam pressure (liquid)

ℎ𝑓𝑔1 = enthalpy at steam pressure (mixture of liquid and vapor)

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Steam Quality Determination

LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Throttling calorimeter

2. Mercury manometer

3. Thermometer

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Steam Quality Determination

4. Stop watch

5. Steam Table

6. Personal Protective Equipments

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Steam Quality Determination

PROCEDURES

1. Purge the water and impurities inside the steam pipeline.

2. Insert the thermometer bulb inside the throttling calorimeter well.

3. Connect the hose of the Hg manometer through the drain valve.

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Steam Quality Determination

4. Open the gate valve and let the steam enter the calorimeter.

5. Duration of the trial is 3 minutes.

6. Let the condition of the steam inside stabilize before recording the steam line
pressure, calorimeter well temperature and Hg manometer reading.

7. Calculate all the necessary requirements needed to complete the data sheet.

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Steam Quality Determination

SET-UP OF APPARATUS

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 Steam Quality Determination

FINAL DATA SHEET

Steam Calorimeter Manometer Calorimeter

hf1 hfg1 hg2 X
Trial Pressure Temperature Reading Pressure t2 (F)
BTU/lb BTU/lb BTU/lb %
P1 (psi) tc (F) “Hg P2 (psi)

1 23 186.8 ¼ 14.83 212.42 232.46 936.11 1150.73 96.75

2 24 206.6 ¼ 14.83 212.42 206.03 973.67 1150.73 96.75

3 24 183.2 3⁄ 26.68 212.42 479.65 953.78 1083.99 97

8

4 23 185 3⁄ 26.68 212.42 475.36 954.90 1083.96 97

8

5 23 179.6 1⁄ 14.76 212.19 231.36 939.30 1152.95 96.43

4

6 20 195.6 ¼ 14.82 212.42 227.97 941.62 1153.02 97.38

[hg2 + Cp(t c − t 2 ) − hf1 ]

X=
hfg1

Where:
Cp=0.46 (steam)
P2=pressure inside the calorimeter based on manometer reading
t2=saturation temperature of P2
tc=temperature of steam inside the calorimeter
P1=steam pipeline pressure

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Steam Quality Determination

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

Stream Pressure

0.101325𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑃1 = (23 + 14.7𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎) ( ) = 0.2599𝑀𝑃𝑎
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎

Calorimeter Pressure

1 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎 0.101325𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝑃1 = ( + 29.92𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑔) ( ) = 14.82 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎 ( ) = 0.1022 𝑀𝑃𝑎
4 29.92 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑔 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎

Saturation Temperature of P2 = 0.1022 MPa

0.100𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.1022𝑀𝑃𝑎 99.63 − 𝑇2

= , 𝑇 = 100.23˚𝐶 = 212.414˚𝐹
0.100𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.105𝑀𝑃𝑎 99.63 − 101.00 2

0.255𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.25986𝑀𝑃𝑎 538.15 − ℎ𝑓1

=
0.255𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.26𝑀𝑃𝑎 538.15 − 540.9
𝐵𝑇𝑈
ℎ𝑓1 = 232.463
𝑙𝑏𝑚

0.255𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.25986𝑀𝑃𝑎 2179.7 − ℎ𝑓𝑔1

=
0.255𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 0.26𝑀𝑃𝑎 2179.7 − 2177.8
𝐵𝑇𝑈
ℎ𝑓𝑔1 = 936.31 𝑙𝑏𝑚

𝐵𝑇𝑈
ℎ𝑔2 = 1150.73 𝑙𝑏𝑚

Steam Quality

[2676.424 + 1.996(86 − 100.23) − 540.82]

𝑋= 𝑥100%
2177.85
𝑋 = 96.75 %

Comparing:

ℎ2 = 2676.3264 ℎ𝑓 = 540.90 ℎ𝑓𝑔 = 2177.8

𝑋 = 98.05 %

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Steam Quality Determination

DISCUSSION OF RESULT

Based on the data gathered by the students, there are 6 trials in the experiment. The gage
pressure ranges between 20 psi – 24 psi throughout the trail. The calorimeter temperature was also
taken for the calculation of steam quality. The manometer reading was constant throughout the
trials as well as the calorimeter pressure and its saturated temperature as the manometer deflects
1/4 inch which results to a pressure of 14.83 psi and its saturation temperature is 212.414 degrees
Fahrenheit which is accurate to the boiling temperature of water at sea level. Interpolation of values
from the steam table is necessary to achieve a more accurate value. Through interpolation, the
values of enthalpy (hf and hfg) were obtained and noticed that the enthalpy decreased when the
pressure of steam was increased. The students determined the enthalpy of steam (hf and hfg) since
it is composed of mixture of liquid and vapor. The enthalpy of steam at calorimeter was considered
in vapor form and determined by interpolation. The steam quality was obtained by using the
formula in Theory and Principle, equation 1, and founded out that the steam quality ranges from
96.43%-97.38%. There are discrepancies that the researcher considered since the steam pressure
from trial 1 and 2 is different from trial 3 and 4. Also, there are some sources of error that affected
the data such as rounding off in calculations and improper measurement of pressure readings. In
the pressure reading, the set-up is utilizing a gage which makes difficult for the researcher to read
the value on the gage since it looks old. Furthermore, the condition of the equipment must be
considered in the sources of error and must be maintained or replaced to gather more accurate data
for the experiment.

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Steam Quality Determination

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. Superheated steam at 1.7 MPa and 350 degrees Celsius is expanded in an engine and the final
pressure is 0.17 MPa. If the expansion is isentropic, find the dryness fraction of the expanded
steam.
𝑘𝐽
1: 𝐴𝑡 1.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 350℃; 𝑠 = 7.044
𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
2: 𝐴𝑡 0.17 𝑀𝑃𝑎; 𝑠𝑓 = 1.475 ; 𝑠𝑓𝑔 = 5.707
𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾

𝑠 𝑎𝑡 1 = 𝑠 𝑎𝑡 2

1.475 + 𝑥(5.707) = 7.044; 𝑥 = 97.59%

2. Two boilers of equal evaporative capacities generate steam at the same pressure of 1.5 MPa to
a common pipe line. One boiler produces superheated steam at 150 degrees Celsius and the other
produces wet steam. If the mixture is just dry and saturated, find the dryness fraction of the wet
steam from the second boiler.

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠:
𝑘𝐽
𝐴𝑡 1.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 250℃; ℎ = 2925
𝑘𝑔

𝐴𝑡 1.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎;
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑓 = 845 ; ℎ𝑓𝑔 = 1947 ; ℎ𝑔 = 2792
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑖𝑛𝑔

2925 + (845 + 𝑥(1947)) = 2(2792) → 𝑥 = 93.15%

3. A closed system consisting of 1 kg of superheated steam at 2 MPa and 400 degrees Celsius is
cooled at constant volume until the pressure is 1.2 MPa. Determine the condition of the steam at
the lower pressure.

𝑘𝐽 0.1511𝑚3
𝐴𝑡 2 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 400℃ → ℎ = 3248 ;𝑣 =
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽 0.1632𝑚3
𝐴𝑡 1.2 𝑀𝑃𝑎 → ℎ𝑓 = 798 ; ℎ = 1986 ;𝑣 =
𝑘𝑔 𝑓𝑔 𝑘𝑔 𝑔 𝑘𝑔
The steam is cooled at constant volume, therefore the volume of 1 kg of steam at 1.2 MPa is the
same as it was before cooling which is 0.1511 m3. This is less than the volume of 1 kg of dry
saturated steam at 1.2 MPa, therefore it must now be wet and its dryness fraction is:

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Steam Quality Determination

𝑣 0.1511
𝑥= = = 92.58%
𝑣𝑔 0.1632

4. In an experiment to determine the dryness fraction of steam, a sample at a pressure of 0.11 MPa
was blown into a vessel containing 10 kg of water at 15 degrees Celsius. The final mass of water
in the vessel was 10.75 kg and the final temperature is 55 degrees Celsius. Find the dryness fraction
of steam, taking the water equivalent of the vessel as 0.45 kg.

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠:
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝐴𝑡 0.11 𝑀𝑃𝑎, ℎ𝑓 = 429 ; , ℎ𝑓𝑔 = 2251
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠:
𝑘𝐽
𝑎𝑡 55℃; ℎ = 230.2
𝑘𝑔
𝑘𝐽
𝑎𝑡 15 ℃; ℎ = 62.9
𝑘𝑔

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 𝑚 = 10.75 − 10 = 0.75 𝑘𝑔

𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 0.45 𝑘𝑔

𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 15℃ = 10 + 0.45 = 10.45𝑘𝑔

𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 55℃ = 10.75 + 0.45 = 11.2 𝑘𝑔

𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 = 𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟

0.75(429 + 𝑥(2251)) + 10.45(62.9) = 11.2(230.2)

𝑥 = 94.72%
5. A throttling calorimeter was fitted to pipe carrying steam at 1.2 MPa in order to measure the
dryness fraction. The pressure in the calorimeter was 0.12 MPa and its temperature was 116
degrees Celsius. Taking the specific heat of the superheated steam in the calorimeter as 2.0 kJ/kg-
K, find the dryness fraction of the main steam.

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠:
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝑎𝑡 1.2 𝑀𝑃𝑎; ℎ𝑓 = 798 ; ℎ𝑓𝑔 = 1986
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
𝑘𝐽
𝑎𝑡 0.12 𝑀𝑃𝑎; 𝑡𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 104.8℃; ℎ𝑔 = 2683
𝑘𝑔

𝐷𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 116 − 104.8 = 11.2℃

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Steam Quality Determination

𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝐸𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

798 + 𝑥(1986) = 2683 + 2(11.2)

𝑥 = 96.03%
6. A steam generator has an exit enthalpy of 3500 kJ/kg at the rate of 15 kg/s. Calculate the heat
lost between the boiler outlet and the turbine inlet if the enthalpy available at the turbine inlet is
3200 kJ/kg.

𝑄 = 𝑚(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) = 15(3200 − 3500)

𝑄 = −4500 𝑘𝑊

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Steam Quality Determination

CONCLUSION
Steam is useful in power generation because of the unusual properties of water. The
manifold hydrogen bonds among water molecules mean that water has a high boiling point and a
high latent heat of vaporization compared with other liquids; that is, it takes considerable heat to
turn liquid water into steam, which is available when the steam is condensed. The boiling point
and the heat of vaporization both depend on ambient pressure. At standard atmospheric pressure of
101 kilopascals (14.7 pounds per square inch), water boils at 100 °C (212 °F). At higher or lower
pressures, molecular energy, respectively, is required to allow water molecules to escape from the
liquid to the gaseous state. Correspondingly, the boiling point becomes lower or higher. The heat
of vaporization, defined as the amount of energy needed to evaporate a unit mass of liquid (in
engineering practice, a unit weight), also varies with pressure. At standard atmospheric pressure it
is 2,260 kilojoules per kg (972 BTU [British thermal units] per pound).
In the experiment, the students were able to determine the steam quality produced by the
boiler located at Mapua University. The experiment takes the process of throttling operation in
steam throttling calorimeter to determine values of steam pressure, calorimeter pressure and
temperature and use steam tables for the determination of enthalpy. The steam quality or also
known as the dryness fraction of steam is affected by these enthalpy values obtained from steam
tables and the difference between the temperature of the calorimeter and the saturated temperature
at the calorimeter pressure. The determination of steam quality is important especially in industrial
applications and power generation especially on steam turbines. Steam turbines prefer high quality
of steam because if the steam quality or dryness fraction will be low, the moisture content of steam
will increase, and it will generate problems on steam turbines such as corrosion which will damage
the steam turbine itself and it will be costly for the power-generating company if this damage
occurs. The experiment must be performed with the guidance of the lab assistant to prevent
accidents and the researcher must wear PPE to ensure safety and to train them for preparation for
their work as a mechanical engineer in power-generation industry.

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Steam Quality Determination

RECOMMENDATION

There have been several recent incidents where crewmembers have been badly scalded while
working on steam systems. Such as
Incident One – Not following correct procedures
Incident Two – Assumptions can lead to accidents
Incident Three – Poor interdepartmental communication
These incidents clearly demonstrate the risk of serious injury if procedures are not followed
correctly or if adequate precautions are not taken. Given the devastating effects of being hit by a
sudden and unexpected release of steam, Members may wish to review their maintenance
procedures regarding boilers and steam systems to ensure all eventualities are covered.
Inspections and maintenance involving steam plant should be subject to the vessel’s “Permit to
Work” process, and no work should be carried out without the knowledge and approval of the
instructor. All involved in the operation should be refamiliarized with the applicable procedures
and it may also be prudent to carry out a risk assessment beforehand. As a minimum the system
should be de-pressurized, drained, cooled and isolated, and warning signs posted. Isolation
valves should be locked or tied shut to prevent any backflow of steam or condensate, and
blanking plates may also need to be inserted.
After emptying a boiler, care should be taken to check that the vacuum has been broken before
the manhole doors are removed. Although an air cock may have been opened to break the
vacuum, the manhole door nuts should be loosened and the joint broken before the dogs are
released. The top manhole doors should be removed first, and personnel should stand well clear
when the doors are opened in case of hot vapor.
All departments should be kept informed throughout.

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Steam Quality Determination

REFERENCES

• Steam Quality. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.swagelok.com/~/media/Distributor%20Media/C-G/Chicago/Services/ES%20-
%20Steam%20Quality_BP_23.ashx
• Importance of Steam Quality. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.forbesmarshall.com/fm_micro/news_room.aspx?Id=boilers&nid=175
• Steam Quality Testing. (2018). Retrieved from https://consteril.com/steam-quality-testing/
• Steam Quality. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-quality-of-steam
• Quantifying Steam Quality. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.plantservices.com/articles/2003/378/
• https://www.engineersedge.com/thermodynamics/steam_tables.htm

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