Industry Application

Process Heating

Most of the steam is utilized for process heating. Using steam for processing heating has

several advantages over other heating methods. Steam is the top choice for process heating

because of its numerous advantages, system simplicity, and great efficiency and reliability.

Steam can be utilized as a direct or indirect source of heat.

Direct Heating - Involves injecting steam directly into the substance to be heated. To guarantee

even heating, care should be taken to ensure adequate mixing. It's also critical to ensure that there

are no temperature overshoots. To ensure that steam does not escape into the environment

without heating the product, spare pipes should be employed. Steam of the greatest purity (safe

to consume by people) should always be utilized for direct heating in the pharmaceutical or food

and beverage industries.

Indirect Heating - The indirect technique of heating uses steam to heat the product through heat

exchangers, preventing the product from coming into actual contact with steam. Cookers,

jacketed vessels, plate type or shell and tube type heat exchangers, and other heating equipment

can all be used for indirect heating.

Atomization

The atomization process guarantees that fuels burn more efficiently. Atomization literally

translates to "splitting down into tiny particles." The aim of steam in burners is to atomize the

fuel. This guarantees that the fuel has a bigger surface area available for combustion. Soot

production is reduced because of atomization, and overall combustion efficiency improves.

Power Generation

In 1882, the first commercial central electrical generating stations in New York and

London utilized reciprocating steam engines, and steam has been used for power generation in

the form of electricity for decades. The Rankine Cycle is used in steam power plants. The

Rankine cycle produces superheated steam, which is then sent to a steam turbine. The turbine is

powered by steam, which provides energy. A condenser is used to turn the used steam back to

water. This reclaimed water is then used to generate steam in the boiler. The difference in

pressure and temperature of steam at the turbine's inlet and outlet determines the power plant's

efficiency. As a result, using high-temperature, high-pressure steam is recommended. As a result,

power plants that employ superheated steam are the most efficient.

Humidification

Humidity control is critical in HVAC systems because humidity levels that are too low or

too high have negative consequences for humans, machines, and materials. Lower-than-desired

humidity can cause mucus membrane dryness, which can contribute to respiratory distress. Low

humidity also causes more static electricity problems, which can harm expensive equipment.

Steam can be used to humidify an environment. When it comes to humidification, steam has a

few advantages over other media. Humidifiers come in a variety of styles, from evaporating to

ultrasonic, to suit a variety of purposes.

Drying

Steam is used to remove moisture from a product in another use called product drying.

Traditionally, heated air is used to dry products. The technique is simple, easy to manage drying

rates, and compact when using steam to dry. In addition, the overall capital investment is
minimal. On the other hand, compared to hot air, steam is less expensive to operate. It's also a

more secure option. When opposed to hot air, the use of steam for drying offers a greater product

quality.

Sterilization and Disinfection

Standard criteria are followed in the processing and manufacturing industries to

guarantee a clean and safe working environment. Sterilization and disinfection are essential for

ensuring that items, equipment, and process facilities are safe to use. Pharmaceutical, food

processing, chemicals, distilleries, and other industries use high-temperature steam to sterilize

process plants and equipment to maintain product quality.

Propulsion and Drive

In applications like steam turbines, steam is frequently used for propulsion (as a driving

force). The steam turbine is an important piece of equipment in thermal electric power plants for

generating electricity. Steam is being used at ever-higher pressures and temperatures to increase

efficiency. Some thermal power plants use 25 MPa abs (3625 psia) superheated, supercritical

pressure steam with a temperature of 610°C (1130°F) in their turbines.

Motive Fluid

Steam can also be utilized to move liquid and gas streams in pipework as a direct

"motive" force. To separate and purify process vapor streams, steam jet ejectors are used to pull

vacuum on process equipment such as distillation towers. They're also utilized to keep air out of

surface condensers so that condensing (vacuum) turbines retain the correct vacuum pressure.
Cleaning

Steam can be used to clean a variety of surfaces. The use of steam in soot blowers is one

such example from industry. To maintain boiler capacity, efficiency, and reliability, boilers that

burn oil or coal must be equipped with soot blowers for cyclic cleaning of the furnace walls and

removal of combusted deposits from convective surfaces.

Moisturization

Steam is occasionally utilized to add moisture to a process while also providing heat. In

the manufacture of paper, for example, steam is used to moisten the paper so that it does not

suffer microscopic splits or tears as it moves through rolls at high speeds. Pellet mills are another

example. In the conditioner portion of the mill, many mills that manufacture animal feed in pellet

form use direct-injected steam to both heat and supply additional water content to the feed

material.