MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO. 3

STEAM INJECTOR

19 Puno, Erhman Jon A. Date Performed: March 13, 2024

ME144L - 2 / E02 Date Submitted: March 20, 2024

2021100591

Group # 3

GRADE

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

INSTRUCTOR
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives 1

Theory and Principle 1

List of Apparatus 2

Procedure 3

Set-up of Apparatus 4

Final Data Sheet 5

Computation 6

Test Data Analysis 7

Questions with Answers 8

Conclusion 9

References 10

Preliminary Data Sheet 11

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OBJECTIVES
• To know the function of steam injector
• To determine its parts and operation as well.
• To be able to give the various types of steam injectors, their advantage and performance.

THEORY AND PRINCIPLE

The most basic type of pump is a single tube steam injector. Steam enters and passes through a nozzle, gaining
high velocity. It then condenses when it meets water in the combining tube, creating a vacuum that draws water from
the supply pipe. The high-velocity steam, now a mixture of condensed steam and water, continues into the delivery
tube. Here, the energy from the steam expanding from boiler pressure to a partial vacuum created by condensation
generates pressure in the water, typically exceeding the boiler pressure by 50 to 80 pounds per square inch (psi).

Positive type injectors include hand-controlled overflow valves that close once water appears in the overflow
during operation. These injectors have advantages such as lifting water to greater heights, starting with lower steam
temperatures, and discharging against higher back pressures. In automatic systems, this type is preferred for stationary
work due to its restarting capabilities.

An injector, also known as an ejector, steam ejector, steam injector, eductor-jet pump, or thermo compressor,
operates as a type of pump. There are two main varieties: non-lifting and lifting. The non-lifting injector sends cold
water directly to the boiler check valve, preventing premature boiling of feed water at very low pressure. The steam
cone's minimum orifice diameter is larger than the combining cone's minimum diameter. On the other hand, the lifting
injector utilizes the Venturi effect to convert pressure energy into velocity energy, creating a low-pressure zone that
draws in and entrains a suction fluid.

The Venturi effect, a case of Bernoulli's principle, converts high-pressure fluid into a high-velocity jet at the
throat of the convergent-divergent nozzle, creating low pressure. This low pressure draws the suction fluid into the
nozzle, where it mixes with the motive fluid. Ultimately, the pressure energy of the inlet motive fluid is transformed
into kinetic energy at the nozzle's throat, and then back into pressure energy at the nozzle's outlet, following Bernoulli's
principle.

In steam locomotives, injectors are used to pump water into the boiler, with some of the steam serving as the
injector's motive fluid. These steam injectors capitalize on the condensation of motive steam when mixed with cold
feed water.

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LIST OF APPARATUS

Figure 1.1. Throttling Figure 1.2. Mercury Figure 1.3. Thermometer

Calorimeter Manometer

Figure 1.4. Stopwatch Figure 1.5. Boiler

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PROCEDURE
1. Begin by determining the height and diameter of the discharge drum.
2. Insert the discharge hose into the discharge drum.
3. Position the thermometer bulb according to the diagram provided by the instructor.
4. Activate the injector valve and allow the process to run continuously, while noting the pressure readings displayed
on the pressure gauges.
5. Using protective gloves, hold the discharge hose and directly measure the temperature at the hose with the
thermometer.
6. Monitor both the temperature and pressure readings and wait for 5 minutes before closing the injector valve.
Record the final temperature indicated by the thermometer bulb and the pressure shown on the pressure gauges.
7. Measure the height of the discharge drum from the water level to the mouth of the drum. Calculate the height of
the mixture discharged by subtracting the height of the drum after the process from the height when it was empty.
8. Repeat the same procedure for subsequent trials.

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SET UP OF APPARATUS

Figure 2.1. Set-up for calorimeter to measure the steam quality.

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 FINAL DATA SHEET
RUNNING LOG
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 2
Observer: Puno, Erhman Jon A.
Experiment No. 3 Title: Steam Injector
Group No.: 3 Date: March 13, 2024

Table 1.1. Steam Injector Data Sheet

X1 T2 h2 T3 h3 mw ms
P1 h1 P2 P3 mm (kg)
Trial (MPaa) (%) (kJ/kg) (psia) (˚C) (kJ/kg) (psig) (˚C) (kJ/kg) (kg) (kg)

1 0.38 98 2693.4420 0.101325 32 133.984 0.1427 66 276.34 37.2731 35.2 2.0731

2 0.36 98 2690.79 0.101325 32 133.984 0.1358 64 267.968 37.67 55.7 1.97

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SAMPLE COMPUTATION
Trial 1
0.101325 𝑀𝑃𝑎𝑎
[(40 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔) ( ) + 0.101325 𝑀𝑃𝑎𝑎 = 0.38 𝑀𝑃𝑎𝑎
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎
ℎ𝑓1 = 596.83 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔 ℎ𝑓𝑔1 = 2139.4 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
𝑃2 = 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑎 𝑇2 = 32°𝐶 𝑥 = 0.98
ℎ1 = ℎ𝑓1 + 𝑥(ℎ𝑓𝑔1 ) = 596.83 + (0.98)(2139.4) = 𝟏𝟑𝟑. 𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈
ℎ2 = 𝑇2 (𝐶𝑝) = 32°𝐶(4.187 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔°𝐶) = 𝟏𝟑𝟑. 𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈
ℎ3 = 𝑇3 (𝐶𝑝) = 66°𝐶(4.187 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔°𝐶) = 𝟐𝟕𝟔. 𝟑𝟒 𝒌𝑱/𝒌𝒈
π (57)2
𝑉𝑊 = = = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟓𝟐 𝒎𝟑
4 100
𝑚𝑊 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 (0.0352 𝑚3 ) = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟐 𝒌𝒈
𝑚𝑠 ℎ𝑠 + 𝑚𝑊 ℎ𝑊 = 𝑚𝑚 ℎ𝑚 = 𝑚𝑠 + 𝑚𝑊 = 𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑥 = 𝑚𝑠 (2693.442) + 35.2(133.984) = 276.342
𝑚𝑠 + 35.2 = 𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑥
𝒎𝒔 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟕𝟑𝟏 𝒌𝒈
𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒙 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟐𝟕𝟑 𝒌𝒈
0.101325
𝑃3 = 6 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔 ( ) + 0.101325 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟐𝟕 𝑴𝑷𝒂𝒂
14.7

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TEST DATA ANALYSIS
In this experiment, we collected data on temperature and pressure readings at specific locations surrounding
the steam injector. These readings were then used to calculate the enthalpies necessary for determining the masses of
both steam and water. To find the mass of the mixture, we utilized the volume and density of water, considering the
drum's diameter and the given water level.

We calculated the first enthalpy (h1) for steam based on its pressure and saturated properties, resulting in the
highest value among the three enthalpies. The enthalpy of the mixture (h3) followed, with that of water (h2) being the
smallest. Pressure readings from attached gauges were used for h1 and h3, while atmospheric pressure was used for
h2 since the water was in an open drum.

The computed masses were then subjected to heat and mass balancing, revealing that the fire tube boiler
produced steam at a considerably smaller percentage compared to the mass of water. Consequently, the boiler
generated subcooled steam rather than saturated or superheated steam. However, the sum of these two masses closely
matched the mass of the mixture obtained.

To obtain temperature T2, we used a thermometer bulb placed close to the valves, while pressure readings
were recorded from pressure gauges during the process. Temperatures were measured after 5 minutes of continuous
discharge of the water-steam mixture. Temperature T3 was acquired by directly measuring the discharge mixture
flowing out of the discharge hose, along with corresponding pressure readings from the pressure gauges.

Enthalpies were determined using steam tables and interpolation. The first enthalpy (h1) was obtained using
the saturated table, where pressures were converted to MPa. For h2, we used the specific heat formula (h = cpT), and
for h3, the subcooled table was consulted, with pressures again converted to MPa and subjected to double
interpolation.

To determine the masses of steam and water, we employed two equations. Equation 1 allowed us to calculate
the mass of steam (ms) using the known mass of the mixture (mmix) and the mass of water (mw). Equation 2, on the
other hand, enabled us to find the mass of the mixture using enthalpy values. By substituting the known values into
these equations, we obtained the respective masses of steam and water.

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QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. What is a steam injector?
- A steam injector is categorized as a type of pump. It operates by utilizing the Venturi effect, where a
converging-diverging nozzle causes the pressure energy of a motive fluid to convert into velocity energy.
This conversion creates a region of low pressure, drawing in and incorporating a suction fluid.

2. What is the Venturi effect?

- The Venturi effect describes the phenomenon wherein fluid pressure decreases as it passes through a
narrowed portion of a pipe. As the fluid's cross-sectional area diminishes, its velocity increases, leading to a
reduction in static pressure. This effect, resembling a funnel, is named after Giovanni Battista Venturi.

3. Enumerate the parts of a steam injector.

- Steam Jacket - Multi-baffle Plate - Dispersion Tube
- Steam Separator - Internal Drying Tube - Thermal-resin Tubelet
- Deflector Plate - Steam Valve - Steam Trap

4. What is direct steam injection?

- Direct steam injection (DSI) heating involves the direct mixing of steam with a utility or process fluid for
heating purposes. This method encompasses various techniques, such as spargers, externally and internally
modulated heaters, and eductor pumps.

5. Name another application of the Venturi effect.

- The Venturi effect finds application in jet pumps utilized for extracting water from wells. In this setup, a
primary pump, typically a centrifugal pump, operates at ground level. Its discharge splits, with a portion
returning to a jet pump installed underground within the well. The recirculated flow, possessing high energy
and low mass, propels additional fluid from the well, ultimately enhancing the overall pumping efficiency.

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CONCLUSION
In this experiment, we successfully achieved our objectives, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the
steam injector's principles and operations. Initially, we familiarized ourselves with the steam injector's function by
conducting hands-on experiments. This involved identifying its components, such as pressure gauges and valves,
essential for controlling steam and mixture flows during the process.

To comprehensively explore various steam injector types, advantages, and performances, I conducted
additional research. This inquiry provided insights into the device's structure, comprising steam, water, and delivery
inlets. Upon opening the steam valve, high-velocity steam escapes, which, upon condensation, creates a partial
vacuum, drawing water into the mixture. As the mixture flows to the delivery cone, its speed decreases, and pressure
increases, facilitating feedwater injection into the boiler.

Our trial results were precise, with minimal errors in pressure, temperature, and valve timing measurements.
We concluded that steam at the inlet was sub-cooled, exhibiting a moisture content of approximately 98%. Utilizing
mass balance principles aided in determining steam and mixture masses. Enthalpy calculations were also introduced,
providing additional equations to solve for unknown variables.

Overall, the experiment successfully met its objectives, enhancing our understanding of steam injectors,
including their principles, components, functions, and temperature and pressure measurements. Our calculations,
incorporating mass and heat balancing, yielded desirable results, aligning with the underlying principles. By analyzing
temperature and pressure values, we could determine the steam quality within specific areas surrounding the steam
injector.

In this experiment, we utilized the saturated properties of steam to determine its enthalpy based on recorded
pressures (P1). Sub-cooled properties were applied in subsequent enthalpy calculations (h3), considering temperature
readings below saturation levels. Our final computations revealed that the mass of steam generated by the fire tube
boiler was relatively smaller compared to water mass. Nonetheless, these values aligned with mass and heat balancing
principles, ensuring consistency with the computed mixture mass.

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REFERENCES
Mekanizmalar. (n.d.). How Steam Injectors Work. Retrieved from https://www.mekanizmalar.com/how-steam-
injectors-work.html

SteamLocomotive.com. (n.d.). Injector. Retrieved from https://www.steamlocomotive.com/appliances/injector.php

Chemical Engineering World. (n.d.). Steam Ejector – Working, Types, Parts. Retrieved from
https://chemicalengineeringworld.com/steam-ejector-working-types-parts/

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