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Vacuum Steam Basics

What causes steam to blow out so strongly?

Steam is commonly thought of as blowing out vigorously when a valve is opened and released to the atmosphere. It is also blown out from valve packing and pinhole leaks. What does this phenomenon mean? The answer is simple: steam has a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure.

蒸気と言えば、バルブを開けて大気へ放出させると勢いよく吹き出すイメージがあります。

So, is the pressure of steam always higher than atmospheric pressure? Actually no, it is possible to generate and use steam below atmospheric pressure: vacuum steam.

It is common knowledge that water has a lower boiling point at higher altitudes. In other words, at lower pressures, water boils at a lower temperature. Similarly, steam generated at pressures below atmospheric pressure will have a temperature lower than 100°C [212°F].

Low-Temperature Saturated Steam (Vacuum Steam)

Referring to a saturated steam table, we can see that the pressure of saturated steam at 100°C [212°F] is 101.42 kPa abs [14.7 psia], which is near atmospheric pressure. The steam table also shows data for steam at temperatures below 100°C [212°F].

Temperature Based Saturated Steam Table

TEMP. PRESS.(GAUGE) SPECIFIC VOLUME SPECIFIC ENTHALPY
°C kPaG m3/kg kJ/kg
T P Vf Vg Hf Hfg Hg
60 -80.05 0.00101711 7.667 251.2 2609 2358
70 -68.8 0.00102276 5.039 293.1 2626 2333
80 -52.58 0.00102904 3.405 334.9 2643 2308
90 -29.82 0.00103594 2.359 376.9 2659 2282
100 0.093 0.0010435 1.672 419.1 2256 2676
110 42.051 0.0010516 1.209 461.4 2230 2691
120 97.340 0.0010603 0.8913 503.8 2202 2706
130 168.93 0.0010697 0.6681 546.4 2174 2720
140 260.18 0.0010798 0.5085 589.2 2144 2733
150 374.78 0.0010905 0.39250 632.3 2114 2746
 

Steam below 100°C [212°F]

Saturated steam at temperatures below 100°C [212°F] has a pressure below atmospheric pressure, approximately 101.42 kPa [14.7 psia]. While not widely known or utilized, vacuum steam does exist and excels in certain heating applications, as we will discuss later.

How to Create Vacuum Steam

Since saturated steam with a temperature below 100°C [212°F] can only exist in a vacuum state below atmospheric pressure, it is necessary to start by depressurizing the steam system itself, from piping, heat exchanger, steam trap and condensate recovery system, to below atmospheric pressure.

There are several ways to generate a vacuum, but the most common is to use an electric vacuum pump in a vacuum steam system.

There are several ways to generate vacuum, but electric vacuum pumps are commonly used in vacuum steam systems.

Characteristics of Vacuum Steam

Vacuum steam requires some additional work and equipment to use, but when it is saturated, it offers the same advantages as saturated steam above atmospheric pressure. In other words:

  • Rapid even heating through latent heat transfer: Improved product quality and productivity
  • Pressure can control temperature: Temperature can be quickly and precisely established
  • High heat transfer coefficient: Smaller required heat transfer surface area, enabling reduced initial equipment outlay

Steam is an excellent heat medium even at lower temperatures.

Need help in achieving fast and uniform heating below 100°C [212°F]?