Heating Capacity of Steam Radiators and Convectors

Steam radiators and steam convectors - heat capacities and temperature coefficients

Steam Heated Radiator

The heat capacity of a steam radiator can be expressed as

Hr = qs hs λr         (1)

where

Hr = heat capacity of radiator (kW, Btu/h)

qs = condensate rate (kg/h, lb/h)

hs = latent heat steam (2675 kJ/kg, 970 Btu/lb)

λr = radiator temperature correction coefficient = 1 for room temperature 70oF (21oC) and steam temperature 215oF (100oC).

The radiator correction coefficient for other room and steam temperatures can be calculated

λr = [(215 - 70)/(ts - tr)]1.3         (1b)

where

ts = steam temperature (oF)

tr = room temperature (oF)

Steam Heated Convector

The heat capacity of a steam heated convector can be expressed as

Hc = qs hs λc         (2)

where

Hc = heat capacity of convector (kW, Btu/h)

qs = condensate rate (kg/h, lb/h)

hs = latent heat steam (2675 kJ/kg, 970 Btu/lb)

λc = convector temperature correction coefficient = 1 for inlet temperature 65oF (18oC) and steam temperature 215oF (100oC).

The convector correction coefficient for other room and steam temperatures can be calculated

λ = [(215 - 65)/(ts - ti)]1.5         (2)

where

ts = steam temperature (oF)

ti = inlet temperature (oF)

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