Steam System Calculator

System Configuration

Units System

Steam Conditions

Steam Pressure kPag

Steam Temperature (if superheated) °C

Steam Flow Rate kg/h

Piping System

Material

Nominal Size

Schedule

Pipe Length m

Pipe Fittings (for Minor Losses)

Insulation & Environment

Insulation Type

Insulation Thickness mm

Ambient Temperature °C

Wind Speed m/s

Actions

Steam Properties

State:-

Density (ρ):-

Specific Enthalpy (h):-

Dynamic Viscosity (μ):-

Flow & Pressure Drop (Darcy-Weisbach)

Internal Diameter (D):-

Steam Velocity (v):-

Reynolds Number (Re):-

Friction Factor (f):-

Total Pressure Drop (ΔP):-

Heat Loss & Efficiency

Insulation Surface Temp:-

Heat Loss Rate (Q):-

Condensate from Loss:-

Two-Phase Flow (Condensing)

Average Steam Quality (x):-

Lockhart-Martinelli (Xtt):-

Two-Phase ΔP:-

Two-Phase HTC (h_TP):-

Technical Notes

Variable Definitions

P: steam pressure (gauge); P_abs = P + 101.3 kPa.
T: steam temperature; T_sat: saturation temperature at P_abs.
ṁ: steam mass flow (kg/h).
D: pipe internal diameter (m); ε: absolute roughness (m).
v: velocity (m/s) = ṁ/(ρA).
Re: Reynolds number = ρvD/μ.
f: Darcy friction factor.
ΔP: pressure drop = friction + minor losses (kPa).
Q: heat loss rate (kW); ṁ_cond: condensate from loss (kg/h).
x: steam quality (mass vapor fraction) for condensing case (–).

Formulas / Logic

Steam properties: interpolated from compact saturation table vs P_abs. If superheated (T > T_sat), density is corrected with ρ ∝ 1/T and enthalpy with h ≈ h_sat + C_p·(T−T_sat) (screening).
Darcy–Weisbach: ΔP = f·(L/D)·(ρv²/2) + K_tot·(ρv²/2).
Friction factor: laminar f=64/Re; turbulent uses Swamee–Jain: f≈0.25/[log10(ε/3.7D + 5.74/Re^0.9)]².
Heat loss (conduction + convection): R_cond=ln(r_o/r_i)/(2πkL), R_conv=1/(h·2πr_oL), Q=(T_steam−T_amb)/(R_cond+R_conv).
Condensate from loss: ṁ_cond = Q·3600 / h_fg.
Two-phase (condensing) check: Lockhart–Martinelli-style multiplier for ΔP and a screening HTC (for awareness only).

This calculator is a screening tool. For final design, use project-approved steam tables, validated insulation standards, and a pressure-drop model consistent with your piping spec.

Assumptions / Notes

Steam table is simplified and interpolated; adequate for screening, not for guarantees/custody.
Pressure drop does not iterate density with pressure along the line (compressibility effects are simplified).
External convection uses a simple wind correlation; radiation is not explicitly modeled.
Two-phase section is indicative for condensate formation; real condensing flow depends on drainage, regime, and heat transfer.

Standards / References

Standard steam tables / ASME property references (use project-approved tables for design).
Crane TP-410 for K-values and pressure-drop methodology.
ISO 12241 / common insulation heat loss practice for cylindrical surfaces (methodology basis).
Darcy–Weisbach and Colebrook/Moody; Swamee–Jain explicit form used here.