In other languages: Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Nederlands Polski Português, Brasil Русский Українська 简体中文

Steam: Difference between revisions

From Official Factorio Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (fixed links)
(Removed incorrect statement (petroleum gas is also non-liquid))
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Languages}}
{{Languages}}
{{:Infobox:Steam}}
{{:Infobox:Steam}}
'''Steam''' is a [[fluid system|gas]] created by heating water in a [[Boiler]] or [[Heat exchanger]]. After being distributed via [[pipe]]s, steam can be used to generate electricity via  [[Steam engine]]s and [[Steam turbine|Turbine]]s. Steam is also used in [[Oil_processing#Recipes|coal liquification]] in [[Oil refinery|Oil refineries]]. Since steam is a fluid, it can be stored in a [[storage tank]].
'''Steam''' is a [[fluid system|gas]] created by heating water in a [[boiler]] or [[heat exchanger]]. After being distributed via [[pipe]]s, steam can be used to generate electricity via  [[steam engine]]s and [[steam turbine]]s. Steam is also used in [[coal liquefaction]] in [[oil refinery|oil refineries]]. Since steam is a fluid, it can be stored in a [[storage tank]].


== Power generation ==
== Power generation ==
The amount of energy contained in steam is linearly proportional to it's temperature (minus 15°C ambient temperature). The energy storage of steam is exactly ''200 Joule / unit / Celcius'', so for every degree Celcius increase in temperature of a single unit of fluid requires exactly 200 Joules.
The amount of energy contained in steam is linearly proportional to its temperature (minus 15°C ambient temperature). The energy storage of steam is exactly ''200 joule / unit / degree Celsius'', so every degree increase in temperature of a single unit of fluid requires exactly 200 joules.


In all cases, steam produced in boilers is 165°C and steam from heat exchangers is 500°C. This higher temperature equates to a higher energy density of the same number of units of steam, meaning: higher temperature, more energy per volume. Steam suffers no thermal losses sitting or flowing through [[pipe]]s or [[storage tank]]s, the energy put into water to create steam is the same amount of energy you get back out from it since both steam engines and turbines are 100% efficient. (Note: a boiler is only 50% efficient at generating steam!)
In all cases, steam produced in boilers is 165°C and steam from heat exchangers and [[acid neutralisation]] is 500°C. This higher temperature equates to a higher energy density of the same number of units of steam, meaning: higher temperature, more energy per volume. Steam suffers no thermal losses sitting or flowing through [[pipe]]s or [[storage tank]]s; the energy put into water to create steam is the same amount of energy you get back out from it since both steam engines and turbines are 100% efficient.


For example, a storage tank that holds 25000 units of Steam at 165°C contains:
<pre style="width: 68%;padding-right: 0em;">(200 J / unit / °C) * 25000 units * (165°C − 15°C) = 750 000 000 joules = 750 MJ</pre>


For example, a [[Storage tank]] which holds 25000 units of Steam at 165°C contains...
A storage tank holding 25000 units of Steam at 500°C thus contains 2.425 ''giga''joules of energy, a surprisingly large amount equal to 485 fully charged [[accumulator]]s!
<pre style="width: 68%;padding-right: 0em;">(200 Joule / unit / Celcius) * 25000 units * (165°C-15°C) = 750 000 000 joules = 750 MJ </pre>
<pre style="width: 68%;padding-right: 0em;">(200 J / unit / °C) * 25000 units * (500°C − 15°C) = 2 425 000 000 joules = 2.425 GJ</pre>


If the temperature of the steam is lower than the steam engine or turbine can handle, then the power output will be lower than optimal, but no energy will be wasted. However, if the temperature of the steam exceeds the maximum temperature of the steam engine or turbine, then the power output is capped at maximum, and the extra energy in the steam is wasted. Other than this difference, either steam engines or turbines can be used to generate power off of steam from any source.


A [[Storage tank]] holding 25000 units of Steam at 500°C thus contains 2.425 ''giga''joules of energy, a surprisingly large amount equal to 485 fully charged [[Accumulator]]s!
  (200 Joule / unit / Celcius) * 25000 units * (500°C-15°C) = 2 425 000 000 joules = 2.425 GJ
It's obvious a steam engine or turbine taking in steam that's colder than it's maximum temperature will not be able to produce full power. When this happens, power generation is limited by the maximum fluid consumption rate of the machine.
When a steam engine is fed steam hotter than it's maximum temperature, the power generation is limited to the maximum (900 kW) output of the machine and merely consumes less steam for the same energy output. This does not mean higher generation efficiencies are attained. Steam engines are perfectly usable on a 500°C nuclear power plant, they merely use more space than a turbines for the same amount power. Vice-versa, turbines are usable in 165°C boiler circuits as well.
== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
* The fill meter on steam storage tanks fills from the top instead of from the bottom
* The fill meter on steam storage tanks fills from the top instead of from the bottom.
* Steam is the only fluid that cannot be stored in [[barrel]]s.
* Assuming perfect efficiency of boilers and heat exchangers, the thermal energy content of steam implies that one unit represents 47.9g of water, meaning a full tank contains 1195 kg of steam.


== History ==
== History ==
{{history|2.0.0|
* Changed the water:steam ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 in all boilers.}}


{{history|0.15.10|
{{history|0.15.10|

Latest revision as of 11:36, 13 November 2024

Steam.png
 Steam

Steam fluid.png

Prototype type

fluid

Internal name

steam

Produced by

Boiler.png
Heat exchanger.png
Chemical plant.png

Consumed by

Steam engine.png
Steam turbine.png
Coal liquefaction.png
Steam condensation.png

Steam is a gas created by heating water in a boiler or heat exchanger. After being distributed via pipes, steam can be used to generate electricity via steam engines and steam turbines. Steam is also used in coal liquefaction in oil refineries. Since steam is a fluid, it can be stored in a storage tank.

Power generation

The amount of energy contained in steam is linearly proportional to its temperature (minus 15°C ambient temperature). The energy storage of steam is exactly 200 joule / unit / degree Celsius, so every degree increase in temperature of a single unit of fluid requires exactly 200 joules.

In all cases, steam produced in boilers is 165°C and steam from heat exchangers and acid neutralisation is 500°C. This higher temperature equates to a higher energy density of the same number of units of steam, meaning: higher temperature, more energy per volume. Steam suffers no thermal losses sitting or flowing through pipes or storage tanks; the energy put into water to create steam is the same amount of energy you get back out from it since both steam engines and turbines are 100% efficient.

For example, a storage tank that holds 25000 units of Steam at 165°C contains: 

(200 J / unit / °C) * 25000 units * (165°C − 15°C) = 750 000 000 joules = 750 MJ

A storage tank holding 25000 units of Steam at 500°C thus contains 2.425 gigajoules of energy, a surprisingly large amount equal to 485 fully charged accumulators! 

(200 J / unit / °C) * 25000 units * (500°C − 15°C) = 2 425 000 000 joules = 2.425 GJ

If the temperature of the steam is lower than the steam engine or turbine can handle, then the power output will be lower than optimal, but no energy will be wasted. However, if the temperature of the steam exceeds the maximum temperature of the steam engine or turbine, then the power output is capped at maximum, and the extra energy in the steam is wasted. Other than this difference, either steam engines or turbines can be used to generate power off of steam from any source.

Trivia

  • The fill meter on steam storage tanks fills from the top instead of from the bottom.
  • Steam is the only fluid that cannot be stored in barrels.
  • Assuming perfect efficiency of boilers and heat exchangers, the thermal energy content of steam implies that one unit represents 47.9g of water, meaning a full tank contains 1195 kg of steam.

History

  • 2.0.0:
    • Changed the water:steam ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 in all boilers.
  • 0.15.10:
    • Introduced as separate fluid. Previously it counted as Water, with a >100 temperature.

See Also

Intermediate products

Resources

Materials

Crafting components

Uranium processing

Retrieved from "https://wiki.factorio.com/index.php?title=Steam&oldid=206110"