Steam Flow - Orifices
Steam flow rates can be measured by using orifice plates. The diagram below indicates steam flow rate (lbs/hr) through orifices ranging diameter 1/32" to 1/2" and 2 - 300 psig steam line pressure.
Downstream pressure equals atmospheric pressure.
- 1 lb/hr = 1.26×10-4 kg/s
- 1 psi (lb/in2) = 6,894.8 Pa (N/m2) = 6.895×10-3 N/mm2 = 6.895×10-2 bar
- convert inch to mm
Example - Steam Flow through a 1/4" orifice discharging to the atmosphere - steam pressure 50 psi
By drawing the lines as in the chart above - the discharged steam flow can be estimated to
aprox. 98 lb/h
Related Topics
• Design of Control and Safety Valves
Sizing and dimensions of control valves & equipment in steam and condensate systems.
Related Documents
Bernoulli Equation
Conservation of energy in a non-viscous, incompressible fluid at steady flow.
Fluid Flowmeters - Comparing Types
An introduction to the different types of fluid flowmeters - Orifices, Venturies, Nozzles, Rotameters, Pitot Tubes, Calorimetrics, Turbine, Vortex, Electromagnetic, Doppler, Ultrasonic, Thermal, Coriolis.
Liquid, Steam and Gas - Flow Coefficients Cv
Calculate flow coefficients for the design of control valves - Imperial units.
Orifice Air Discharge vs. Pressure
Nozzles discharging air volume.
Orifice, Nozzle, and Venturi Flow Meters: Principles, Calculations & Data
The orifice, nozzle and venturi flow rate meters makes the use of the Bernoulli Equation to calculate fluid flow rate using pressure difference through obstructions in the flow.
Orifices - Natural Gas Capacity
Capacity of natural gas orifices.
Steam Flow Rate vs. Pressure Drop - Schedule 40 Pipe
Flow rate (lb/h) and pressure drop per 100 feet of pipe.
Steam Leaks through Orifices
Steam leaks through orifices for pressures ranging 250 - 600 psi
Steam Pipes - Online Pressure drop Calculator
Calculate pressure drops in steam distribution pipe lines.