Steam Heating & Consumptionv1.0.0Method: Steam Heating

Steam Heating & Process Consumption Calculator

Calculate mass flow rate of dry saturated steam required for continuous flow heat exchangers and batch heating vessels using IAPWS-IF97 saturated steam properties.

Steam to heat a flowing stream in a heat exchanger · Latent heat balance, IAPWS-IF97 steam

Process Stream & Steam Supply

Medium Flow Rate

kg/h

Exchanger Efficiency (η)

Inlet Temperature (T1)

°C

Outlet Temperature (T2)

°C

Process Medium

Water (Liquid) · Cp = 4.186 kJ/kg·K

Steam Supply Pressure

bar.g

Tsat = 151.9 °C · h_fg = 2,107.7 kJ/kg

Steam Heater & Condensate

Steam condenses at Tsat; condensate leaves through the trap

Results

Ready to calculate

Enter values and press Calculate to see results.

Reference Codes & Standards

IAPWS-IF97Governing Code

Industrial Formulation for the Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Steam

Scope:Saturation temperature and latent heat of evaporation properties.

ISO 5167Governing Code

Measurement of fluid flow by means of pressure differential devices

Scope:Steam line velocity guidelines and metering practices.

Literature & Further Reading

[1]Spirax Sarco — The Steam and Condensate Loop Handbook.
[2]ASME Steam Tables — Compact Edition.

Engineering Tips

Practical checks before using the result

Core Formulas

Steam consumption

ms = Q · 3600 / h_fg (Q in kW, h_fg in kJ/kg)

Latent heat balance — steam condenses at Tsat, condensate leaves saturated

Continuous duty

Q = m · Cp · (T2 − T1) / η

Sensible heat to the stream, divided by exchanger efficiency

Steam gives up mainly its latent heat, which is largest at low pressure — but the pressure must still give enough temperature difference to the product.

Good practice

Use the lowest practical steam pressure: h_fg is ≈ 2257 kJ/kg at 0 barg vs ≈ 2048 kJ/kg at 7 barg, so each kg of steam delivers more heat.
Fit a correctly sized steam trap at the heater outlet so condensate is removed continuously and the surface is not waterlogged.

Watch out

Keep Tsat at least 10–15 °C above the target T2 for a workable temperature difference.
A cold batch start can draw 2–3 × the average rate for the first minutes — size the control valve and supply line for the peak.

Not covered

Does not size the heat-transfer area (U, LMTD) or the control valve and steam trap.
Assumes dry saturated steam; superheat, wet steam and flash-steam recovery from condensate are not included.