TUPC-Eng’g Dept Page 1 Thermodynamics

PROPERTIES OF STEAM

Definition of terms:
1. Saturation temperature ( t sat )
is the temperature at which liquid starts to boil or the temperature at which vapor begins
to condense. The saturation temperature of a given substance depends on the existing pressure. It
is directly proportional to the pressure. If the pressure increases, t sat increases and if pressure
decreases, so does t sat .

To determine t sat of water at a given pressure, use table 2 ( Steam Table)

Example:
a. Water at 101.325 kPa pressure boils at 100 C, thus, t sat at 101.325 kPa is 100C.
b. Water at a pressure of 200 kPa boils at ___________.
c. Water at a pressure of Mpa boils at __________.
d. t sat of water at 80 kPa is _________.

2. Subcooled Liquid
is one which has a temperature lower than the saturation temperature corresponding to
the existing pressure.
t < t sat

To determine if water is subcooled, use table 2 using the given pressure (steam table) and
compare the given temperature to the corresponding saturation temperature.
Example:
a. Water at 101.325 kPa pressure and a temperature of 80 C is subcooled because the
saturation temperature is 100 C.
b. If water is at a pressure of 400 kPa, and the temperature is measured at 105C, is
water subcooled? Why? ___________________________________.

3. Saturation pressure ( psat )

Is the pressure at which liquid starts to boil at the existing temperature.
This means that if the temperature of a liquid such as water is held constant and the
pressure varied, psat is the pressure at which water will boil.

To determine the saturation pressure for the existing temperature, use table 1 (steam
table)

Example:
a. water at 120 C will boil at a pressure of ________________.
b. Water at 300 C will boil at a pressure of _______________.
c. What is psat if the temperature is 50C? _______________.

4. Compressed liquid
is one which has a pressure higher than the saturation pressure corresponding to
the existing temperature.
p > psat
TUPC-Eng’g Dept Page 2 Thermodynamics
Example:
a. Water at 100 C and a pressure of 200 kPa is a compressed liquid because the
saturation pressure for 100 C temperature is 101.325 kPa.
b. Is water at 120 C and a pressure of 400 kPa compressed?

Note: Compressed liquid and subcooled liquids are the same. They only differ on the reference
point, i.e., pressure or temperature.

5. Saturated liquid
is a liquid at saturations ( saturation temp. or saturation pressure) which has temperature
equal to the boiling point corresponding to the pressure. It is pure liquid, it has no moisture
content.

Examples