1. What is Steam Condensate?

Steam condensate is the liquid water formed when steam loses its latent heat and changes phase from vapor to liquid. It represents the portion of steam that has condensed during heat transfer processes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the condensate formula:

Where:

• \( Steam Flow \) — Mass flow rate of steam (kg/s)
• \( Quality \) — Steam quality/dryness fraction (0-1)
• \( Condensate \) — Mass flow rate of condensate (kg/s)

Explanation: The formula calculates the amount of condensate produced based on the total steam flow and its quality, where quality represents the fraction of steam that is in vapor phase.

3. Importance of Condensate Calculation

Details: Accurate condensate calculation is crucial for steam system design, heat exchanger sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and condensate recovery system planning in industrial processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter steam flow in kg/s and quality as a decimal between 0-1. Steam quality of 1 represents 100% dry saturated steam, while 0 represents 100% liquid water.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is steam quality?
A: Steam quality is the proportion of saturated steam in a steam-water mixture, expressed as a decimal between 0 (all water) and 1 (all steam).

Q2: Why is condensate recovery important?
A: Condensate recovery saves energy, reduces water treatment costs, and decreases makeup water requirements in steam systems.

Q3: What affects steam quality in practice?
A: Steam quality is affected by boiler operation, pipe insulation, pressure drops, and heat exchanger performance.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for flash steam?
A: This calculator provides total condensate, which includes both liquid condensate and any flash steam that may form.

Q5: What are typical steam quality values?
A: Well-designed steam systems typically operate with steam quality between 0.95-0.99, while poorly maintained systems may have lower quality.