Steam System Management

Steam systems operate on a relatively easy concept. Water goes into a boiler where it is heated to the boiling point appropriate for the device's pressure. The resulting steam travels through pipes from the boiler to a variety of locations where it is used to perform a heating or drying function.

When the steam is used for heating, it goes to some type of heat exchange device. The purpose here is to transfer the latent heat from the steam to a lower-temperature object. In the act of giving up its latent heat, the steam condenses, creating a void that pulls more steam from the boiler into the heat exchanger. This is how steam flow is created in the system.

In order to realize and maintain a high degree of energy efficiency, a steam system must be carefully managed to regulate the raw materials and by-products created by the system's unique temperature dynamics and operating environment.

For effective steam system management, there are basically two areas of concern:

• the generation and effects of condensate
• the sources and effects of non-condensable gases

To see a synopsis for the video "Guidelines for Steam System Efficiency," click here.