Design of Steam Heating Systems

An introduction to the basic design of steam heating systems

The simplest steam heating system can installed at relative low costs. The disadvantages with the simple system is the lack of modulating quality.

The simplest steam heating system is the

Single Pipe Steam System with Main Pipes Pitched Towards the Boiler

Steam and condensate use the same main pipes. The condensate flows in the opposite direction of the steam.

Air valves are necessary for evacuating air during start-up.

The system is simple but the heat emission in radiators or in heat exchangers are hard to control. Modulating the heat will cause the heating elements to be partly filled with air. The system can work properly in applications where the heat can be modulated directly in the boiler, as applications for warehouses, garages and so on. The system should be avoided where it is necessary to individually modulate each radiator or heat exchanger.

The condensate draines back to the boiler and during stops the system fills with air. This makes the design suitable for temporarily heated application working under water freezing conditions.

The simple system can be modified to the

Single Pipe Steam System with Main Steam Pipes Pitched Away from the Boiler

This is a better design than the former because the steam and condensate are more separated in different pipes. It can be further improved with the

Single Pipe Steam System with Overhead Steam Distribution

A improvement to this system is to completely separate the steam and condensate in the

Steam Trap System

In the Steam Trap System the steam are hold back in heating elements and steam pipes by steam traps. The steam traps may work after several thermodynamic and mechanical principles. Read more about choosing steam traps.

The advantage with this system is better individual modulating of radiators and heat exchangers.

The disadvantage is more equipment and higher costs.

• Steam Properties

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