Steam Tables Online Help

The Steam Tables application allows you to calculate the various properties of saturated or superheated steam based upon a variety of input parameters.

The Steam Tables app is the #1 selling iOS app for quickly calculating saturated and superheated steam properties. This help is mainly geared toward the iPhone version of the Steam Tables app, but all of the input explanations also apply to the iPad version.

Overview

When you first open the application, you will see 3 tabs at the bottom of your screen:
  1. The "Steam Tables" tab displays the screen that appears when you start up the application, and it displays the steam tables input form.
  2. The "Global Settings" tab allows you to specify global settings such as whether to use english (imperial) or metric units. Please read the "Global Settings" section below for more details.
  3. The "Help" tab displays this help screen.

Steam Tables Tab

This tab automatically appears when you first start the Steam Tables application. Two selections appear at the top of the device screen:
  1. Calculate Steam Properties: Select this row to open the input form that allows you to calculate steam properties. You can specify any combination of two parameters for either saturated or superheated steam and the remaining properties will be calculated. See below for more details.
  2. Email Steam Properties: Select this row to display an HTML email along with a spreadsheet attachment that includes all the current steam inputs and results. You can email the HTML report and spreadsheet to your email address (or any email address, for that matter) so that you can perform further analysis on your desktop.

Calculate Steam Properties

The "Calculate Steam Properties" form allows you to specify from two sets of parameters to calculate the remaining properties for either saturated or superheated steam. The basis for the steam table calculations are the 1967 IFC-Formulation for Industrial Use (IFC-67). The following is an explanation of the inputs:

Saturated/Superheated Selector: This selector allows you to specify the type of steam: saturated or superheated. Depending upon the selection you make will determine the types of parameters that are displayed (discussed below).

If the "Saturated" option is selected, the following inputs are available:
  1. Temp/Pressure Selector: This selector allows you to specify the parameter type for the textbox to the right of this control and also the slider control located just below it. If you select "Temp", you are able to specify the saturated steam temperature (deg F/R or deg C/K) in the textbox and slider control. If you select "Pressure", you are able to specify the saturated steam pressure (psia/psig, etc. or kPa a/kPa g, etc.) in the textbox and slider control.
  2. Temp/Pressure Textbox: Depending upon selection you made in the selector described above, you can input either the saturated steam temperature or pressure. After the value has been inputted, the calculated results will automatically update and the slider control indicator will relocate to the appropriate position. You cannot input a value greater than the maximum value on the slider control below the textbox.
  3. Temp/Pressure Slider: Depending upon the selection you made in the selector described above, you can alter either the saturated steam temperature or pressure using this slider control. As you slide the indicator along the control, the results will immediately update. Also, the minimum/maximum values of the second parameter slider control (see below) will update if the second parameter type is either specific enthalpy (h), specific volume (v), or specific entropy (s). The minimum value displayed will be the specific property at 0% quality. The maximum value displayed will be the specific property at 100% quality. Also, depending upon the "step" value that you input in the "Steam Table Props." form the temperature/pressure values will increase/decrease by the "step" amount. See the explanation of the "Steam Table Props." form below.
  4. x/h/v/s Selector: This selector control is for the 2nd paramenter, and it allows you to select from one of 4 different steam properties:
    1. "x" is quality (from 0% to 100%)
    2. "h" is specific enthalpy
    3. "v" is specific volume
    4. "s" is specific entropy

    As you select each of these properties, the textbox value and the slider control min/max values will all update.

    Selecting "x" allows you to vary the quality from 0% to 100% for the selected saturated temperature or pressure in parameter 1. You can either input the value into the textbox to the right of the selector control or use the slider control to increase/decrease the value and instantly view the calculated results.

    Selecting "h" allows you to vary the specific enthalpy from the minimum enthalpy at 0% quality to the maximum enthalpy at 100% quality for the selected saturated temperature or pressure. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific enthalpy will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific enthalpy. This value along with the selected saturated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties.

    Selecting "v" allows you to vary the specific volume from the minimum volume at 0% quality to the maximum volume at 100% quality for the selected saturated temperature or pressure. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific volume will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific volume. This value along with the selected saturated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties.

    Selecting "s" allows you to vary the specific entropy from the minimum entropy at 0% quality to the maximum entropy at 100% quality for the selected saturated temperature or pressure. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific entropy will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific entropy. This value along with the selected saturated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties. The following outputs are available for the "Saturated" mode (The order and appearance of these outputs vary depending upon the input parameters selected):
    1. Saturation Pressure: This is the corresponding saturation pressure (psia, psig, etc.) for the selected saturation temperature.
    2. Quality: This is the percentage of dryness of the wet steam, ranging from 0% to 100%.
    3. Enthalpy of Water (hf): This is specific enthalpy (BTU/lb) for the selected saturation temperature/pressure at 0% quality.
    4. Enthalpy of Evaporation of Steam: This is the difference between the specific enthalpy of water and the specific enthalpy of steam for the selected saturation temperature/pressure.
    5. Enthalpy of Steam (hg): This is the specific enthalpy (BTU/lb) of steam at the currently selected percentage quality.
    6. Volume of Steam (v): This is the specific volume (ft^3/lb) of the steam at the currently selected percentage quality.
    7. Density of Steam: This is the reciprocal of the specific volume (lb/ft^3) and is used to help size steam piping.
    8. Entropy of Water (sf): This is the specific entropy (BTU/lb-F) of steam for the selected saturation temperature/pressure at 0% quality.
    9. Entropy of Evaporation of Steam: This is the difference between the specific entropy of water and the specific entropy of steam for the selected saturation temperature/pressure.
    10. Entropy of Steam (sg): This is the specific entropy (BTU/lb-F) of steam at the currently selected percentage quality.
    11. Steam Dynamic Viscosity: This is the dynamic viscosity of the steam (lb/ft-s) of steam at the currently selected percentage quality.
    If the "Superheated" option is selected, the following inputs are available:
    1. Superheat T/Pressure Selector: This selector allows you to specify the parameter type for the textbox to the right of this control and also the slider control located just below it. If you select "Superheat T", you are able to specify the superheated steam temperature (deg F/R or deg C/K) in the textbox and slider control. If you select "Pressure", you are able to specify the superheated steam pressure (psia/psig, etc. or kPa a/kPa g, etc.) in the textbox and slider control.
    2. Superheat T/Pressure Textbox: Depending upon selection you made in the selector described above, you can input either the superheated steam temperature or pressure. After the value has been inputted, the calculated results will automatically update and the slider control indicator will relocate to the appropriate position. You cannot input a value greater than the maximum value on the slider control below the textbox.
    3. Superheat T/Pressure Slider: Depending upon selection you made in the selector described above, you can alter either the superheated steam temperature or pressure using this slider control. As you slide the indicator along the control, the results will immediately update. Depending upon the "step" value that you input in the "Steam Table Props." form the temperature/pressure values will increase/decrease by the "step" amount. See the explanation of the "Steam Table Props." form below.
    4. p (or t)/h/v/s Selector: This selector control is for the 2nd paramenter, and it allows you to select from 4 different steam properties:
      1. "p" is the superheated pressure. This option is displayed if the first parameter selected is superheated temperature
      2. "t" is the superheated temperature. This option is displayed if the first parameter selected is superheated pressure
      3. "h" is specific enthalpy
      4. "v" is specific volume
      5. "s" is specific entropy
      As you select each of these properties, the textbox value and the slider control min/max values will all update.

      Selecting "p" allows you to vary the superheated pressure. You can either input the value into the textbox to the right of the selector control or use the slider control to increase/decrease the value and instantly view the calculated results.

      Selecting "t" allows you to vary the superheated temperature. You can either input the value into the textbox to the right of the selector control or use the slider control to increase/decrease the value and instantly view the calculated results.

      Selecting "h" allows you to vary the specific enthalpy. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific enthalpy will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific enthalpy. This value along with the selected superheated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties.

      Selecting "v" allows you to vary the specific volume. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific volume will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific volume. This value along with the selected superheated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties.

      Selecting "s" allows you to vary the specific entropy. When you select this option in the selector control, the currently calculated specific entropy will populate the textbox. You can use the slider control to vary the specific entropy. This value along with the selected superheated temperature or pressure will be used to calculate the remaining steam table properties. The following outputs are available for the "Superheated" mode. Please note that not all combinations of parameter 1 and 2 produce valid results. Any parameters that are out of bounds will display results as "NA". Also, the order and appearance of these outputs vary depending upon the input parameters selected:
      1. Pressure: This is the corresponding superheated pressure (psia, psig, etc.) for the selected superheated temperature and 2nd parameter.
      2. Saturation Temperature: This is the corresponding saturation temperature for the selected or calculated superheated pressure.
      3. Degrees Superheat: This is the difference between the superheated temperature (whether specified or calculated) and the saturation temperature.
      4. Enthalpy of Water (hf): This is specific enthalpy (BTU/lb) for the selected superheated pressure at 0% quality for the equivalent saturation pressure.
      5. Enthalpy of Steam (hg): This is the specific enthalpy (BTU/lb) of steam for the currently selected superheated properties.
      6. Volume of Steam (v): This is the specific volume (ft^3/lb) of steam for the currently selected superheated properties.
      7. Density of Steam: This is the reciprocal of the specific volume (lb/ft^3) and is used to help size steam piping.
      8. Entropy of Water (sf): This is the specific entropy (BTU/lb-F) for the selected superheated pressure at 0% quality for the equivalent saturation pressure.
      9. Entropy of Steam (sg): This is the specific entropy (BTU/lb-F) of steam for the currently selected superheated properties.
      10. Steam Dynamic Viscosity: This is the dynamic viscosity of the steam (lb/ft-s) of steam for the currently selected superheated properties.

      Steam Settings

      This screen is accessed by clicking the round button with the "i" inside it located at the top right-hand portion of the steam tables input screen. The form will flip around and a number of additional steam table property inputs will appear. The following is an explanation of each input:
      1. Pressure Units: This input allows you to select the pressure units that are displayed in the main steam table input form. If you press the button locted on the far right of this cell, a picker control will display that lists all of the available units. The following English units are displayed
        1. psia (lbs/in^2 absolute)
        2. psig (lbs/in^2 gauge)
        3. in wg a (inches of water gauge absolute)
        4. in wg g (inches of water gauge gauge)
        5. atm a (atmospheres absolute)
        6. atm g (atmospheres gauge)
        The following Metric units are displayed
        1. kPa abs (kiloPascals absolute)
        2. kPa gauge (kiloPascals gauge)
        3. m wg a (meters of water gauge absolute)
        4. m wg g (meters of water gauge gauge)
        Select the units that you want displayed and press the "Back" button to return to the previous form. All values and units will be updated accordingly.
      2. Temperature Units: This input allows you to select the temperature units that are displayed in the main steam table input form. If you press the button located on the far right of this cell, a picker control will display that lists all of the available units. The following English units are displayed
        1. F (Fahrenheit)
        2. R (Rankine)
        The following Metric units are displayed
        1. C (Celcius)
        2. K (Kelvin)
        Select the units that you want displayed and press the "Back" button to return to the previous form. All values and units will be updated accordingly.
      3. Max Saturated Temp (F/R or C/K): This input allows you to specify the maximum allowable saturated steam temperature input. After returning to the main steam sizing input screen, the slider control will update according to the new value. You will not be allowed to specify a value greater than the maximum saturated steam temperature.
      4. Max Superheat Temp (F/R or C/K): This input allows you to specify the maximum allowable superheated steam temperature input. After returning to the main steam sizing input screen, the slider control will update according to the new value. You will not be allowed to specify a value greater than the maximum superheated steam temperature.
      5. Temperature Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the temperature value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the temperature will increase/decrease by 5 degrees as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      6. Max Saturated Press (psia, etc. or kPa a, etc.): This input allows you to specify the maximum allowable saturated steam pressure input. After returning to the main steam sizing input screen, the slider control will update according to the new value. You will not be allowed to specify a value greater than the maximum saturated steam pressure.
      7. Max Superheat Press (psia, etc. or kPa a, etc.): This input allows you to specify the maximum allowable superheated steam pressure input. After returning to the main steam sizing input screen, the slider control will update according to the new value. You will not be allowed to specify a value greater than the maximum superheated steam pressure.
      8. Pressure Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the pressure value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the pressure will increase/decrease by 5 psia (or other units) as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      9. Maximum Quality: This input allows you to specify the maximum quality percentage value that appears on the second parameter slider control on the main steam table input form. The default value is 100%.
      10. Quality Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the quality value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the quality will increase/decrease by 5% as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      11. Maximum Enthalpy (BTU/lb or kJ/kg): This input allows you to specify the maximum enthalpy value that appears on the second parameter slider control on the main steam table input form. This maximum value applies to superheated calculations, only.
      12. Enthalpy Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the enthalpy value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the enthalpy will increase/decrease by 5 BTU/lb (kJ/kgs) as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      13. Maximum Volume (ft^3/lb or m^3/kg): This input allows you to specify the maximum volume value that appears on the second parameter slider control on the main steam table input form. This maximum value applies to superheated calculations, only.
      14. Volume Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the volume value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the volume will increase/decrease by 5 ft^3/lb (m^3/kgs) as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      15. Maximum Entropy (BTU/lb-F or kJ/kg-C): This input allows you to specify the maximum entropy value that appears on the second parameter slider control on the main steam table input form. This maximum value applies to superheated calculations, only.
      16. Entropy Step Value: This input allows you to specify the "step" value by which the entropy value will increase/decrease as you slide the indicator along the slider control on the main steam table input form. For example, if you specify "5", the entropy will increase/decrease by 5 BTU/lb-F (kJ/kgs-C) as you slide the slider control indicator. If you specify 0, the value update will be continuous.
      As an added feature, you can shake the device, and the values in this form will reset to the initial settings that existed when you first installed the application. You will be asked for confirmation prior to reset. This feature can be disabled in the "Global Settings" form discussed below.

      To return to the main steam sizing input screen, click the button at the top right of the screen, and the form will "flip" over revealing the main inputs along with updated values.

      Email Steam Properties

      The "Email Steam Properties" form displays an HTML email along with a spreadsheet attachment that includes all the current steam inputs and results. You can email the HTML report and spreadsheet to your email address (or any email address, for that matter) so that you can perform further analysis on your desktop computer.

      Global Settings Tab

      This screen can be accessed by selecting the "Global Settings" tab on the home-page screen that first appears when you start the application. The following is an explanation of each of the inputs:
      1. Display Units: This selector allows you to specify whether to display all values in English (Imperial - IP) or Metric (SI) units. When you return to the main input screen, all values will reflect the new units.
      2. Where to Display Results on Screen: This selector allows you to specify where to display the calculated results on the device screen. You can display them at the top or the bottom. When you run the program for the first time, the inputs will appear at the botom of the screen and the results will appear at the top.
      3. Shake Device to Reset Values: This selector allows you to specify whether to activate the device "shake" (or accelerometer) functionality in some of the input screens of the application:
        • By shaking the device in the "Steam Settings" screen, you can reset the values to the initial settings that existing when you first installed the application.

      Steam Table Calculations

      The basis for the steam table calculations are the 1967 IFC-Formulation for Industrial Use (IFC-67).

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