Steam: Difference between revisions
m removed you |
m typos |
||
| (19 intermediate revisions by 12 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''' is a [[fluid system|gas]] created by heating water in a [[boiler]] or [[heat exchanger]], or through [[acid neutralisation]]{{SA}}. 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 | 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 | In all cases, steam produced in [[boiler]]s is 165°C and steam from [[heat exchanger]]s or [[acid neutralisation]]{{SA}} is 500°C. Higher temperature steam equates to a higher energy density of the same number of units of steam. 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 | For example, a storage tank that holds 25000 units of Steam at 165°C contains: | ||
<pre style="width: 68%;padding-right: 0em;">(200 | <pre style="width: 68%;padding-right: 0em;">(200 J / unit / °C) * 25000 units * (165°C − 15°C) = 750 000 000 joules = 750 MJ</pre> | ||
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! | 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 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. | If the temperature of the steam is lower than the [[steam engine]] or [[steam 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 == | == 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 pre-[[Space Age]] 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. | |||
* Because burner devices are not permitted on [[space platform]]s{{SA}}, and acid neutralization is [[Vulcanus]]-exclusive, the only way to get steam on platforms (either for power or liquefaction) is with [[heat exchanger]]s powered by [[nuclear reactor]]s | |||
* 500°C steam in a pipe will still freeze on [[Aquilo]]{{SA}}. | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
{{history|2.0.7| | |||
* Changed the water:steam ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 in all boilers/heat exchangers.}} | |||
{{history|0.15.10| | {{history|0.15.10| | ||
* Introduced as separate fluid. Previously it counted as Water, with a >100 temperature.}} | * Introduced as separate fluid. Previously it counted as Water, with a >100 temperature.}} | ||
== See | == See also == | ||
* [[Fluid system]] | * [[Fluid system]] | ||
* [[Electric system]] | * [[Electric system]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:05, 9 February 2025
Steam is a gas created by heating water in a boiler or heat exchanger, or through acid neutralisation
. 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 or acid neutralisation is 500°C. Higher temperature steam equates to a higher energy density of the same number of units of steam. 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 steam 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 pre-Space Age 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.
- Because burner devices are not permitted on space platforms, and acid neutralization is Vulcanus-exclusive, the only way to get steam on platforms (either for power or liquefaction) is with heat exchangers powered by nuclear reactors
- 500°C steam in a pipe will still freeze on Aquilo.
History
- 2.0.7:
- Changed the water:steam ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 in all boilers/heat exchangers.
- 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 |
|
