iNTRODUCTION

The process by which we convert water into steam and use the steam to turn a propulsion shaft
encompasses the generation and expansion phases of the steam cycle. A study of the properties
of water and steam at these critical phases is necessary to understand the steam cycle. This
lesson defines terms associated with these properties and processes, and explains the use of
steam tables to calculate the work and efficiency created by steam.

REFERENCES
Basic Thermodynamics
Understanding Thermodynamics
The Laws of Thermodynamics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

INFORMATION
A.

Basic Thermodynamic Terms

1.

Enthalpy (h), measured in British thermal units per pound (mass), or BTU/lbm, represents the total
energy content of steam. It expresses the internal energy and flow work, or the total potential
energy and kinetic energy contained within a substance. The advantage of enthalpy is that we
can express in one term all of the energy in a substance which is due to its pressure and
temperature. Enthalpy values are used to represent the energy level of steam entering a turbine,
a value useful for determining turbine efficiency. By superheating steam, we can add enthalpy to
steam without raising the pressure of the steam. For example, steam at 620 psig and 850F can
do more work in a turbine than steam that is 620 psig and 650F.

2.

Entropy (s), measured in BTU/lbm-R, represents the unavailability of energy (R=Rankine

temperature scale where 0R = absolute zero and 460R = 0F). The second law of
thermodynamics states that when heat is transferred from high temperature to low temperature
regions, some of the heat will be rejected and not converted into mechanical work. Entropy is a
measure of how much heat must be rejected to a lower temperature receiver at a given pressure
and temperature.

a.

A complex explanation of the mathematical significance of the definition of entropy is

unnecessary. It is a term which attempts to describe the universes tendency to evenly distribute
all mass and energy throughout space. Processes which produce entropy are possible and those
which destroy entropy are impossible.

b.

Bodies with a high temperature will, when brought in contact with a body of a lower temperature,
always cause heat to transfer from the hot body to the cold body. This will lower the internal
energy of the hot body and raise the internal energy of the cold body. This is the principle that
guides the design and operation of all naval heat exchangers. For example, a main engine lube
oil cooler directs hot lube oil over cool seawater piping, so that the hot lube oil will transfer some
of its heat to the cooler seawater. If left together indefinitely, the property of entropy would cause
the heat from the lube oil to be equally distributed between the oil and the water, so that both
would have the same temperature.

c.

Entropy would not be important except for the fact that the purpose of any engine is to collect,
transfer, and use energy. Thus, in a steam plant for example, it is not possible to add energy to
water, boil it and transmit the resulting high energy steam across the relatively cooler engineroom
without some of that energy being lost. Some of this energy will always be lost through system
conditions such as ineffective pipe lagging, piping leaks, and dirty or fouled tubes which retard
heat transfer. Operators must constantly attempt to minimize the effects of these conditions to
maximize plant efficiency and reduce fuel and water costs.

3.

A working fluid is a substance which receives, transfers and transmits energy in a thermodynamic
system. In most systems, the working substance is a fluid (liquid, vapor or gas). In a steam
system, water is the working fluid.

4.

Density (r), measured in lbm/ft, represents the mass of a substance per unit volume, or how tightly
packed the molecules are. The more molecules packed in a given space, the more dense the
material. The density of water in a given location of the boiler is critical to the steam generation
process because relatively dense feedwater will naturally push a less dense steam/water mixture
through the boiler generating tubes.

5.

Specific volume (vSP), measured in ft3/lbm, represents the space occupied per unit mass of a
substance. It is the mathematical inverse of density. Most engineering equipment is designed for
size and strength taking into consideration the specific volume of the intended working fluid.

6.

Specific weight (g), measured in lbf/ft3, represents the weight of a substance per unit volume. This
is the density of a substance acted upon by gravity. The pressure of a fluid at the bottom of a
storage tank is a direct function of the height of the fluid in the tank and the specific weight of the
feedwater. This resultant pressure is an important shipboard consideration with respect to
providing a minimum suction pressure for a pump below the tank to move the fluid through a
system.
7.
The state of a working fluid refers to the physical properties it possesses at a particular
pressure, temperature and volume. If each of these are known with respect to a substance, the
state of the substance is known. The substance can be a subcooled, saturated, or superheated
solid, liquid, or gas. Many systems operate the working fluid with very specific
temperature/pressure relationships. Water is subcooled in the condensate and feed phases of
the steam cycle to allow it to be pumped, saturated in portions of the generation and feed phases
for natural flow or for maintaining proper chemistry, and superheated in the expansion phase to
extract maximum work from the steam to turn a propulsion turbine.

8.

A thermodynamic process is any process which changes the state of the working fluid. These
processes can be classified by the nature of the state change that takes place. Common types of
thermodynamic processes include the following:

a.

A reversible process is an ideal process where the working fluid returns to its original state by
conducting the original process in the reverse direction. For a process to be reversible, it must be
able to occur in precisely the reverse order. All energy that was transformed or distributed during
the original process must be capable of being returned to its exact original form, amount and
location. Reversible processes do not occur in real life.

b.

An irreversible process is any process which is not reversible. All real life processes, such as the
basic steam cycle, are irreversible.

c.

An adiabatic process is a state change where there is no transfer of heat to or from the system
during the process. Because heat transfer is relatively slow, any rapidly performed process can
approach being adiabatic. Compression and expansion of working fluids are frequently achieved
adiabatically with pumps and turbines.

d.

An isothermal process is a state change in which no temperature change occurs. Note that heat
transfer can occur without causing a change in temperature of the working fluid. In the DFT,
auxiliary exhaust heats incoming condensate, then condenses to liquid and falls to the bottom of
the tank. Throughout this process, the temperature of the auxiliary exhaust remains constant at
246-249F.

e.

An isobaric process is a state change in which the pressure of the working fluid is constant
throughout the change. An isobaric state change occurs in the boiler superheater, as the heat of
the exiting steam is increased without increasing its associated pressure.

9.

A thermodynamic cycle is a recurring series of thermodynamic processes through which an effect

is produced by the transformation or redistribution of energy. In other words, it is a series of
processes repeated over and over again in the same order. Thermodynamic cycles contain five
basic elements: (1) a working fluid, (2) an engine, (3) a heat source, (4) a heat receiver, and (5) a
pump. All thermodynamic cycles may be classified as being open cycles or closed cycles.

a.

A closed cycle is one in which the working fluid is reused. Steam plants and refrigeration cycles
are closed cycles. In a steam plant, the water undergoes a series of processes that change the
state of the water. Eventually the water returns to its original state and is ready to begin the cycle
again.

b.

An open cycle is one in which the working fluid is not reused. Open cycles typically use the
atmosphere as a working fluid. An internal combustion engine represents a typical open
cycle. Air is drawn into the engine, combusted in the cylinders, and exhausted back to the
atmosphere. Fresh air is drawn into the engine to begin the cycle again.

B.

Heat Addition and Temperature

1.

When heat is added to a material, one of two things will occur: the material will change
temperature or the material will change state. When a substance is below the temperature at a
given pressure required to change state, the addition of sensible heat will raise the temperature of
the substance. Sensible heat applied to a pot of water will raise its temperature until it
boils. Once the substance reaches the necessary temperature at a given pressure to change
state, the addition oflatent heat causes the substance to change state. Adding latent heat to the
boiling water does not get the water any hotter, but changes the liquid (water) into a gas (steam).

2.

One can state that a certain amount of heat is required to raise the temperature of a substance
1F. This energy is called the specific heat capacity. The specific heat capacity of a substance
depends upon the volume and pressure of the material. For water, the specific heat capacity is 1
BTU/lbm-F and remains constant. This means that if we add 1 BTU of heat to 1 lbm of water, the
temperature will rise 1F.

C.

Introduction to Steam Tables

1.

When a teapot of water is placed on a hot burner, sensible heat begins to heat the water. The
energy added to the water raises its internal energy and its temperature. When the water
reaches 212F, the temperature no longer rises as latent heat begins to change the water from a
liquid to a vapor. The mass inside the teapot is slowly changing from a 100% water / 0% steam
mixture into a 0% water / 100% steam mixture. If we add only half the necessary latent heat,
then only half the water will boil into steam. The result would be a 50% water / 50% steam
mixture at 212F. If we add all the latent heat necessary, then the water at 212F changes
completely into steam at 212F. Continuing to add heat to the 212F steam results in a
temperature increase (superheating), and we are again raising the temperature by adding
sensible heat. Refer to figure 3.2-1 (sensible/latent heat and enthalpy).

2.

While the properties of water at atmospheric pressure are commonly known, water under different
pressures will exhibit different properties. When water is boiled at pressures higher than
atmospheric, the same events occur as described above with two exceptions. First, the boiling
temperature will be higher than 212F. Second, less latent heat is required to be added to change
the water completely into steam. If water were to be boiled at a pressure lower than atmospheric
pressure, then we would find that the boiling temperature would be less than 212F and a larger
amount of latent heat would be required to change the water completely into steam. Refer to
figure 3.2-2 (temperature vs. latent heat).

a.

When water is below the boiling point, the addition of heat is seen as sensible heat. This water is
said to be a subcooled liquid. When enough sensible heat is added so that the temperature of
the water approaches saturation temperature but no steam has yet been formed, the water is said
to be a saturated liquid.

b.

As the water is transformed from a saturated liquid to saturated steam, boiling is occurring. As
latent heat is added, the temperature of the water remains the same but the saturated liquid is
being changed into a saturated vapor. During this period the water is referred to as a liquid/vapor
mixture. When enough latent heat is added so that all of the liquid is converted into vapor, the
water becomes a saturated vapor. Note that the saturated vapor is 100% vapor and exists at the
same temperature as the saturated liquid. Above the saturated steam point, vapor exists at a
temperature higher than saturation temperature. This is the superheated vapor region.

c.

D.

Steam tables are a useful tool for determining the properties of steam and water at various
temperatures and pressures. The steam tables are broken into three tables.

Mollier Diagram

1.

The Mollier diagram is a small portion of data from the steam tables graphed onto enthalpyentropy coordinates. It presents the region that is commonly found in propulsion plant steam
systems. Examine the last section of the steam tables for a representation of a Mollier diagram.

2.

Locating information off the Mollier diagram is done as follows: The horizontal axis is entropy (s) in
BTU/lbm-R. The vertical axis is enthalpy (h) in BTU/lbm. The dark line across the middle of the
chart is called a steam dome because of its shape. Above this line, the data is for superheated
steam. Below this line, the data is for a steam-water mixture. The data directly on the line is for
saturated steam.

3.

To find data in the steam-water mixture region of the chart, enter the chart using the absolute
pressure and %-moisture (y). Once you find the intersection of these two parameters, read off
the number directly across from the intersection point for enthalpy. Read off the number directly
below the intersection point for entropy.

To find data in the superheated region of the chart, enter the chart using the measured temperature and
pressure of the steam. Again, find the intersection point of these two parameters and read off the
values for entropy and enthalpy. Notice that moisture does not plot in the superheat region. This
is because moisture is a parameter which only exists in saturated conditions.