Mapua University

School of Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Energy Engineering

ME144L-3

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 1

Experiment #2

STEAM QUALITY DETERMINATION

ENRIQUEZ, Andrei John R. Date Performed: 09/12/24

2021102768 Date Submitted: 09/19/24
ME144L-3/E02
Group 2

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

Professor
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives…………………………………………………………..…………………………..1
Theories and Principles………………………………………………………….…...................1
List of Apparatus……………………………….………………………………………............3
Procedure……………………………………….…………………………………….………...5
Set-up of Apparatus……………………………….………………………………….…...........6
Final Data Sheet………………………………….……………………………………..............8
Sample Computations…………………………………….……………………………….........9
Test Data Analysis………………………………………….…………………….…................10
Questions with Answers………………………………………….…………………….............11
Conclusion.……………………………………….………………………………………..…...12

References……………………………………….……………………………………….…….13

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OBJECTIVES
1. To learn the throttling calorimeter operation
2. To be able to safely conduct the experiment and its two trials
3. To be able to compute and determine the quality of steam generated

THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES

The right amount of steam is necessary for any heating process in order to guarantee that
there is enough heat flow for heat transfer. In order to prevent product spoiling and a decline in
manufacturing rate, it's also critical to supply the proper flowrate. Proper calculation of steam
loads and pipe sizing are necessary to attain the desired flowrates. For optimal performance, steam
should reach the point of use at the required pressure and provide the desired temperature for each
application. To ensure this, pipework and pipeline ancillaries must be sized correctly. However, it
is possible that even if the pressure gauge is correctly displaying the desired pressure, the
corresponding saturation temperature may not be available if the steam contains air and/or
incondensable gases.

At the start of the process, air is present within the steam supply pipes and equipment.
Even if the system was filled with pure steam the last time it was used, the steam would condense
at shutdown, creating a vacuum that would draw air into the system. When steam enters the
system, it will force the air towards either the drain point or the point furthest from the steam inlet,
which is known as the remote point. To ensure that air is removed from the system, steam traps
with sufficient air venting capacities should be fitted to drain points, and automatic air vents should
be fitted to all remote points. However, if there is any turbulence, the steam and air will mix, and
the air will be carried to the heat transfer surface. In a mixture of air and steam, the temperature
will be lower than expected due to the presence of air. The total pressure of a gas mixture is the
sum of the partial pressures of the components in the mixture. Air can also enter the system in
solution with the boiler feedwater, as make-up water and condensate exposed to the atmosphere
readily absorb nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, which are the main components of
atmospheric air. When the water is heated in the boiler, these gases are released with the steam
and carried into the distribution system. Atmospheric air consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen,
and 0.03% carbon dioxide, by volume analysis. However, the solubility of oxygen is roughly twice

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that of nitrogen, while carbon dioxide has a solubility roughly 30 times greater than oxygen. This
means that ‘air’ dissolved in the boiler feedwater will contain much larger proportions of carbon
dioxide and oxygen, which cause corrosion in the boiler and the pipework.

To prevent this, the temperature of the feed tank is maintained at a minimum of 80°C so
that oxygen and carbon dioxide can be liberated back to the atmosphere, as the solubility of these
dissolved gases decreases with increasing temperature. Demineralizing and degassing the makeup
water at the external water treatment stage also helps to keep the concentration of dissolved carbon
dioxide to a minimum. The concentration of dissolved gas in the water can be determined using
Henry’s Law, which states that the mass of gas that can be dissolved by a given volume of liquid
is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas, provided that the temperature is constant
and there is no chemical reaction between the liquid and the gas.
The Empirical Formula to be used only for said calorimeter:

X = {hg2 + Cps[t2 – tsat2] – hf1 }/ hfg1

X(hfg1) + hf1 = hg2 + Cps[t2 – tsat2]

Cpsteam = 0.46 Btu/lbm-°F = 0.46 Btu/lbm-R

= 1.922 KJ/kg-°C = 1.922 KJ/kg-K

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LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Throttling Calorimeter

Figure 3.1 Throttling Calorimeter

2. Mercury Manometer

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 Figure 3.2 Mercury Manometer
3. Thermometer

Figure 3.3 Thermometer

4. Stopwatch

Figure 3.4 Stopwatch

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PROCEDURE

1. Purge the water and impurities inside the steam pipeline.

2. Insert the thermometer bulb inside the throttling calorimeter well.

3. Connect the hose of the Hg manometer through the drain valve.

4. Open the gate valve and let the steam enter the calorimeter.

5. Duration of the trial is 5 minutes.

6. Let the condition of the steam inside stabilize before recording the steam line pressure,

calorimeter well temperature and Hg manometer reading.

7. Calculate all the necessary requirements needed to complete the data sheet.

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SET-UP OF APPARATUS

This chapter contains the figures and images about the set-up of the lab equipment and
apparatus used for this laboratory activity about Steam Quality Determination. Duration of the
trials is 5 minutes

Figure 5.1 (Trial 1 for steam quality determination)

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Figure 5.2 (Trial 2 for steam quality determination)

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 FINAL DATA SHEET

Tria Ps P₂ P2 Tsat of T₂ hf1 hfg1 hg2 X (%) X

l (Psig) Manometer (Psig) P2(°C) (°C) (KJ/kg) (KJ/kg) (KJ/kg) therm
(mm Hg) (%)

1 35 12 0.2321 101 102 582.16 2149.6 2677.6 97.39 97.43

2 36 13 0.103 101 104 584.33 2148.1 2677.6 97.17 97.38

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SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

Determining P2

0.101325 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑔
𝑃2 = (13.9 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 − 12.7 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝐺) ∗ = 0.0016 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑔
760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔
0.101325 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑔
𝑃2 = (13.7 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 − 12.7 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝐺) ∗ = 0.0013 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑔
760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔

Mpag to Mpaa

𝑃2 =0.0016 + 0.101325 = 0.102925 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑎

𝑃2 = 0.0013 + 0.101325 = 0.102625 𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑎

Mpa to 𝑃𝑠𝑖𝑔

14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝑃2 = 0.1029 𝑀𝑝𝑎 ∗ = 0.23 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
0.101325 𝑀𝑝𝑎⬚
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
𝑃2 = 0.102625 𝑀𝑝𝑎 ∗ = 0.19 𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑔
0.101325 𝑀𝑝𝑎⬚

The values of hf1 and hfg1, hg2 are found in the steam tables

𝑥 = (𝐻𝑔2 + 𝐶𝑝𝑠 (𝑇𝑐 − 𝑇𝑠𝑎𝑡2 ) − 𝐻𝑓1 )/𝐻𝑓𝑔1

2675.5 + 1.922(102 − 99.63) − 573.25
𝑥= = 0.9772 ∗ 100 = 97.39 %
2155.8
2675.5 + 1.922(101 − 102) − 561.47
𝑥= = 0.9755 ∗ 100 = 97.17%
2163.8

Determining 𝑋𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚

ℎ2 + ℎ𝑓1
𝑋𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚 =
ℎ𝑓𝑔1
2676.2 − 573.25
𝑋𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚 = = 0.9755 ∗ 100 = 97.43 %
2155.8
2666.1 − 561.47
𝑋𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚 = = 0.9727 ∗ 100 = 97.38 %
2163.8

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TEST DATA ANALYSIS

The data was obtained by using the instruments to measure the temperature and the
pressure inside the boiler. To determine the other variables that are required to determine the
quality of the steam, the steam tables can be utilized. Some variables and properties are still
unobtainable using these methods, so it is also a choice to use interpolation formulas to
determine them.

After determining the enthalpies of point 1 and point 2 in its vapor and liquid states, as
well as the enthalpy of the saturated wet mixture, we can use them to determine the quality of the
steam in the mixture, or rather, to determine the percentage of the steam that is mixed within the
wet mixture. By using the formula stated in the discussions part, the percentage is obtained.

The pressure values provided were not absolute, thus before computing for any of the
other values, the pressure must be converted to MPa absolute. Following that, we may begin to
solve for the saturation temperature of 𝑃2. We obtained a saturation temperature of 99.63 °C
using interpolation with the steam table. Using table 2 of the steam table, we can calculate the
enthalpy values ℎ𝑓1, ℎ𝑓𝑔1, and ℎ𝑔2. With all of these values, we can solve for the value of 𝑥1,
which was 97.72%. We solved for the value of 𝑥2 using table ℎ 3 of the steam table, resulting in
a steam quality of 97.55%. Based on the steam quality values, we can determine that the vapor
contains more or less than 2.18%. Higher steam quality is preferable because lower values might
result in decreased heat transfer efficiency, premature valve failure, internal turbine component
failure, and water hammer.

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QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1. What are the main types of calorimeters?

Calorimeters are classified into several varieties, including bomb calorimeters for
combustion processes, coffee cup calorimeters for solution-based reactions, and
differential scanning calorimeters for researching phase transitions.

2. Why is it important to use a calorimeter in experiments?

Calorimeters provide a controlled environment for carefully measuring heat
changes, helping scientists to better understand reaction thermodynamics, calculate
enthalpy changes, and gain insight into the energy transformations involved with chemical
and physical processes.

3. How does a calorimeter account for heat loss or gain to the surroundings?
Calorimeters are designed to reduce heat exchange with their surroundings.
Insulating materials and careful construction help decrease heat loss or gain, ensuring that
the recorded temperature change predominantly represents the heat involved in the
reaction.

4. How can calorimetry be applied in real-world scenarios?

Calorimetry has numerous applications, including examining metabolic processes
in biology, calculating the calorific value of fuels, analyzing food nutrition, and
investigating chemical reactions in industrial processes.

5. What precautions should be taken when using a calorimeter?

Precautions include handling reactive materials with care, calibrating instruments
accurately, and installing adequate insulation to reduce heat exchange with the
environment. Furthermore, using recognized standards for calibration contributes to
precise and dependable outcomes.

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CONCLUSION

This laboratory experiment's goal was to investigate the importance of figuring out
moisture content for assessing the quality of steam. Elevated levels of moisture can lead to
equipment erosion and water hammer damage can also have an impact on the effectiveness of heat
transmission. Reliable Engineers use moisture content assessments to design and operate steam
systems that comply with process specifications, guaranteeing peak efficiency and dependability.
Results from the significance of steam quality in engineering applications is shown by the lab
investigation. Knowing how factors like moisture content, superheat, and dryness fraction relate
to one another can help you minimize energy use, increase system efficiency, and prevent
equipment damage. By putting in place the proper monitoring and control systems, engineers can
effectively regulate the quality of steam, enhancing the longevity and productivity of industrial
processes. This study lays the groundwork for the next investigations and technological
developments in steam systems, supporting the growth and sustainability of numerous businesses.

It can be concluded that the quality of the steam that was produced by the boiler of Mapua
is obtainable using the proper formula that corresponds to the device used for the experiment. Also,
it is also revealed that there is a saturated wet mixture in the boiler when the experiment was
conducted. Furthermore, the experiment helped the students to familiarize themselves with the
different parts of the Boilers as well as the operation of the boiler. They can see how the boiler
works and how the different phases of water were produced due to the heat from the boiler.

RECOMMENDATION

The experiment is about the operations of the boiler. It is recommended to let the students
witness its operations in actuality as this can be educational and it can help them understand the
concepts and theories that were being taught online. It is also recommended to wear proper
protective equipment when obtaining data especially when it deals with high temperature steam.
Also, always record and perform the experiment in different trials so that the results will be as
precise as possible. To safeguard their safety, I strongly advise the students to wear the appropriate
protective equipment during the experiment. This might also stop injuries from heated equipment.

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It's also important to include further details, such how to use a boiler. The students might find this
useful for their future careers.

REFERENCES

Admin. (2023, February 23). Calorimeter - definition, uses, types, application, diagram.
BYJUS. https://byjus.com/physics/calorimeter/

University of Bristol. (2022, October 19). Calorimetry for Power Electronics. Calorimetry |
Faculty of Engineering | University of Bristol.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/research/em/experimental-validation-and-dynamic-
modelling/calorimetry/

Libretexts. (2020, August 16). 3.3: Calorimetry. Engineering LibreTexts.

https://eng.libretexts.org/Courses/Bucknell_University/CEEG_445%3A_Environmental_Enginee
ring_Chemistry_(Fall_2020)/03%3A_Thermodynamics/3.03%3A_CalorimetryAdmin. (2023,
February 23). Calorimeter - definition, uses, types, application, diagram. BYJUS.
https://byjus.com/physics/calorimeter/

University of Bristol. (2022, October 19). Calorimetry for Power Electronics. Calorimetry |
Faculty of Engineering | University of Bristol.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/research/em/experimental-validation-and-dynamic-
modelling/calorimetry/

Libretexts. (2020, August 16). 3.3: Calorimetry. Engineering LibreTexts.

https://eng.libretexts.org/Courses/Bucknell_University/CEEG_445%3A_Environmental_Enginee
ring_Chemistry_(Fall_2020)/03%3A_Thermodynamics/3.03%3A_Calorimetry

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