Steam Table Uses

Steam tables are used by engineers to understand the qualities of steam.

Steam tables are used as a quick reference regarding the properties of steam. They can be used to determine pressure/temperature relationships and to figure British Thermal Unit output. If you study engineering, thermodynamics or physics academically, you'll probably study steam tables.

Basic Concepts

Steam tables are used to figure the amount of heat needed to change boiling water into steam, known as latent heat or the heat of vaporization. The amount of heat needed to convert water to steam differs for every pressure and temperature combination. You can use a steam table to figure how much heat or pressure is needed to produce the energy required to turn a turbine, for example, or to run a furnace.

About Steam Tables

Steam tables will include tabulations for pressure, temperature, specific volume, specific entropy and specific enthalpy. Usually steam tables are divided into two parts: temperature tables and pressure tables.

Careers

Various occupations use steam tables. Steam tables may be used by students, mechanical engineers, defense contractors, nuclear power specialists, energy managers, boiler engineers and boiler mechanics.

References

• Boilerroomservices: Steam Tables
• Engineers Edge: Thermodynamics
• Integrated Publishing: Use of Steam Tables