De La Salle University

Mechanical Engineering Department

Module No. 1

Pressure – Temperature Relation for Saturated Steam

NAME : Nygel Gian Santillan

SUBJECT & SECTION : LBYME3B EE3

INSTRUCTOR : Engr. Isidro Antonio Marfori

RATING: _________

REMARKS: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
Objectives

• To investigate the changes in saturated steam temperature with accompanying changes

in pressure.
• To relate these changes to the latent heat of vaporization.

Materials and Equipment

• Pressure gage and vacuum gage

• Barometer
• Thermometer 0-360°F – 2 nos.
• Thermocouple with potentiometer
• Stop watch

Experiment Set-up

Figure 1.1 shows the materials and equipment set-up for Pressure – Temperature Relation of
Saturated Steam.

FIGURE 1.1Experimental Set-up for Pressure –

Temperature Relation of Saturated Steam

Theory

An apparatus is provided which consists of a small drum fitted with a high-pressure steam
supply and with a drain or exhaust connection. If pressure below atmosphere is to be
determined, the exhaust from the drum should lead to a steam condenser fitted with a
vacuum generator for preserving the vacuum. Thermometer wells are inserted in the
drum and connections are provided for pressure and vacuum gages. Both steam supply
and exhaust are controlled by needle valves in order that fine regulation may be obtained.
The drum may be filled with steam at any desired pressure or vacuum. The pressure
should be held constant while readings are taken. The quality of the incoming steam is
varied by means of a water jacket on the steam supply pipe.

Consider a Carnot Cycle in which the net heat is added, i.e. all converted into work as
expressed approximately by:
𝑠𝑓𝑔𝑑𝑇 = 𝑣𝑓𝑔𝑑𝑝 (1.1)

But, 𝑠𝑓𝑔 = (1.2)

Hence, 𝑣𝑓𝑔𝑑𝑝 = ℎ (1.3)

As the experiment, does not reach the critical temperature then, υf is negligible as compared
with υfg . It may be assumed that the dry saturated steam approximates a perfect gas.

𝑣𝑓𝑔 = 𝑣𝑔 = (1.4)

Combining equations (1.3) and (1.4), eliminating the υfg yields

ℎ𝑓𝑔 = (1.5)

Procedure
1. Check the temperature readings of two thermometers against each other in violently
boiling water in a steam bath. If they do not agree then, try to look for other thermometers.
2. Record this temperature as the boiling point or saturation temperature for the pressure
shown by the barometer,
3. Insert two thermometers in the thermometer wells having been previously filled with oil.
4. Open both steam and exhaust valves and allow the apparatus to warm up.
5. Close the steam valve until it is just “cracked” then throttle exhaust valve until the
pressure gage reads 5 psig. Keep the pressure steady by manipulating the exhaust needle
valve.
6. At the end of two minutes read both thermometers; at the end of the third minute read
the thermometers again, and if these readings agree with the earlier one, record them as
final.
7. Obtain corresponding readings at 5 psig pressure increments up to full line pressure.
8. At two or more pressures are required during these runs, try the effect on the
temperature when the moisture content of the supply steam increases by admitting more
water to the water jacket.
9. Carefully plot the pressure-temperature curve, using the average temperature readings
with corresponding pressure (including atmospheric boiling point). Plot the corrected
temperature and absolute pressure as ordinates and abscissas, respectively.
10. Plot a similar curve from the steam tables, using different symbols for these points. If the
curves do not agree, report a few points to locate the trouble.
11. Using the final corrected and smoothed experiments curve, or determine at six or more
spaced points and compute corresponding values of ℎ by Equation (1.5)
12. Plot the results against temperature, and their corresponding values obtained from the
steam table. Discuss the goodness of fit of curves and give suggestions to improve the
accuracy in determining the experimental values.
PRECAUTIONS:

1. Be sure that the steam supply is not superheated by throttling. To guard against this, the
water jacket is best used during all low pressure and vacuum runs.
2. Do not allow water to collect at the bottom of the steam drum. A steam trap may be
attached to the drain line in order to guard against this possibility.
3. Correct thermometer readings may be recorded when steam is present.
4. To secure certain pressures, it may be necessary to open the air vent in the condenser.
5. In view of the lag of the thermometer well, allow ample time for equilibrium to take place
in each temperature reading.

Experimental Data

TABLE 1.1 Test data for Pressure – Temperature Relation of Saturated Steam

Pressure, psi Temperature, °C Average

No. of Runs Temperature
Barometer °C
Gage Absolute t1 t2
Reading

1 0 14.655 14.655 105 112 108.5

2 5 14.655 19.655 112 119 115.5

3 10 14.655 24.655 112 119 115.5

4 15 14.655 29.655 114 120 117

5 20 14.655 34.655 115 121 118

6 25 14.655 39.655 119 124 121.5

7 30 14.655 44.655 122 127 124.5

 8 35 14.655 49.655 130 130 130

9 40 14.655 54.655 130 135 132.5

10 45 14.655 59.655 134 136 135

11 50 14.655 64.655 137 140 138.5

12 55 14.655 69.655 140 142 141

13 60 14.655 74.655 143 144 143.5

14 65 14.655 79.655 150 148 149

15 70 14.655 84.655 150 152 151

16 75 14.655 89.655 155 154 154.5

17 80 14.655 94.655 158 158 158

Sample Computations (Using Run 3 as Reference)

Absolute Pressure

𝑃 +𝑃 =𝑃

10 𝑝𝑠𝑖 + 14.655 𝑝𝑠𝑖 = 24.655 𝑝𝑠𝑖

Average Temperature

𝑡 +𝑡
= 𝐴𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝.
2
112 °C + 119 °C
= 115.5 °C
2

Computations For Analysis

Psi to Bar conversion

1 𝑝𝑠𝑖 = 0.0689475729 𝑏𝑎𝑟

24.655 × 0.0689475729 = 1.699902 𝑏𝑎𝑟

Temperature Interpolation for Steam Table
 1.69990241 𝑏𝑎𝑟 − 1.5 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑥 − 111.4 ℃
=
2 𝑏𝑎𝑟 − 1.5 𝑏𝑎𝑟 120.2 ℃ − 111.4 ℃

𝑥 = 114.9182824 ℃
Enthalpy from Experiment

𝑑𝑝 𝑅𝑇
ℎ =
𝑑𝑇 𝑝

𝑑𝑝 2.04464027 𝑏𝑎𝑟 − 1.69990241 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑟

= = 0.229825
𝑑𝑇 390 𝐾 − 388.5 𝐾 𝐾

𝑘𝐽
⎡ 0.008314 𝑚𝑜𝑙 − 𝐾 ⎤
⎢ (115.5 ℃ + 273 𝐾) ⎥
𝑘𝑔
𝑏𝑎𝑟 ⎢ 0.018 ⎥ 𝑘𝐽
ℎ = 0.229825 𝑚𝑜𝑙 = 9425.2591
𝐾 ⎢ 1.69990241 𝑏𝑎𝑟 ⎥ 𝑘𝑔
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
Enthalpy Interpolation for Steam Table
𝑘𝐽
114.9182824 ℃ − 110 ℃ 𝑥 − 2230.2
𝑘𝑔
=
120 ℃ − 110 ℃ 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
2202.6 − 2230.2
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔

𝑥 = 2216.625541 ℃

Results and Analysis

Interpret the experimental data statistically as required by the laboratory instructor.

TEMPERATURE VS PRESSURE
Experiment Results Steam Table

170
160
150
TEMPERATURE (C)

140
130
120
110
100
90
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
PRESSURE (BAR)
 The graph above shows the relationship between the temperature and pressure of
the saturated steam. Theory states that an increase in pressure should cause the steam
molecules, that are contained in the drum, to move about more rapidly. This causes an
increase in kinetic energy which is directly proportional to temperature. In short, an increase
in pressure should cause an increase in temperature.

This exact trend is illustrated by the orange line in the graph. This line is a
representation of interpolated values gathered using data from the steam table. As can be
seen, it follows a smooth curved line in which temperature increases as pressure increases.
The blue line is data gathered from the experiment. It is observed that the experiment data is
not as smooth as compared to the steam table; however, it does still follow the correct trend
in terms of temperature and pressure, with the exemption of runs 2 and 3 where temperature
did not change. Despite this, there is no denying that the experiment data is a tad off from the
expected temperature values from the steam tables, aside from the third run which is
relatively the same. The first two runs showed that the temperature was slightly greater on
the experiment data while from the third run onwards, the temperature on the experiment
data was slightly less than that of the steam table.

TABLE 2.1 Test data for Pressure – Temperature Relation of Saturated Steam

𝑑𝑝 𝑏𝑎𝑟 Experiment Enthalpy Enthalpy from Steam

No. of Runs 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝑑𝑇 𝐾 Table
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
1 0.049248 3276.5194 2257.328828
2 N/A* N/A* 2235.585263
3 0.229825 9425.2591 2216.625541
4 0.344738 11845.102 2200.206391
5 0.098497 2910.8987 2186.107992
6 0.114913 3021.2198 2173.306037
7 0.06268 1485.7612 2161.11424
8 0.137895 3021.4445 2150.334286
9 0.137895 2779.197 2140.376213
10 0.098497 1841.2508 2130.799964
11 0.137895 2419.3855 2121.787138
12 0.137895 2273.0862 2113.284505
13 0.06268 975.69918 2105.008833
14 0.172369 2581.6026 2097.3591
15 0.098497 1401.2595 2089.709367
16 0.098497 1345.0462 2082.576441
17 0.098497 1294.9424 2075.615839
*Due to the temperature being the same in runs 2 and 3, the change in pressure over change in
temperature cannot be computed in run 2. As a result, it was not included in the graph.
 Table 2.1 is a tabulated list of calculated enthalpies from the experiment and
interpolated enthalpies taken from the steam table. The second column of the table also
shows the change in pressure over the change in temperature which is required to compute
for the enthalpy in the experiment as seen in Equation (1.5). From the table, it can be implied
that there are several observable differences most notably in runs 3 and 4 where the
difference between the enthalpy from the experiment and the enthalpy from the steam tables
is alarmingly large.

ENTHALPY VS TEMPERATURE
14000

12000

10000
ENTHALPY (KJ/KG)

8000

6000 Experiment Results

Steam Table
4000

2000

0
360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440
TEMPERATURE (K)

The differences between the enthalpy from the experiment and the steam table are
perhaps best represented by the graph above. The enthalpy from the experiment is rather
inconsistent and varies quite dramatically while the enthalpy from the steam table is much
more stable and follows a consistent decreasing trend as temperature increases. Note that
the enthalpy being referred to here is ℎ , otherwise known as the latent heat of evaporation.
The latent heat of evaporation is the amount of energy needed to transform saturated water
into dry saturated steam. Logic dictates that at higher temperatures, the amount of energy
required for this transformation to occur is less than at lower temperatures. This is exactly
what is observed with the steam table enthalpy curve.

The same cannot be said about the enthalpy from the experiment. Using Equation (1.5)
yielded rather inconsistent results as enthalpies would increase and decrease rather
drastically without much consistency. It is quite hard to formulate any conclusions regarding
the enthalpies gathered in the experiment due to this.
Observations and Recommendations

Present briefly your individual observations and recommendations

Observations

From the gathered results and data in the experiment, some key observations can be
made. The first notable observation would be the average temperatures of runs 2 and 3 being
the same despite the increase in gauge pressure. This should not be the case as temperature
should increase as the pressure is raised. This lack of change is also observable on the first
graph which shows a flatline between runs 2 and 3. This was an outlier in a relatively
consistent trend for the temperature and pressure in the experiment. Another observation
that could be made is the lack of consistency of the calculated enthalpy in the experiment and
its rather inaccurate results. This may be a result of errors in the measures that were taken;
however, with the sheer range of the enthalpies calculated for the data in the experiment it is
rather difficult to pinpoint and determine the actual source of the issue.

Recommendations

Further investigation must be put into the enthalpies in the experiment. The data
collected in the experiment must be redone to possibly resolve or prove that it is or is not the
main source of the issues regarding enthalpy. More advanced temperature measuring devices,
if they fit into the tank, and more precise pressure measuring devices could be used in future
iterations of the experiment to possibly further improve the accuracy of the data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of the experiment tell rather contrasting stories. On one
hand a relatively correct trend, barring a few outliers, was observed between the pressure
and temperature inside the steam tank. On the other, the calculated enthalpies using the
experiment data were quite erratic, inconsistent, and at times inaccurate. Although hard to
determine the issue that may have caused this behavior, a possible theory could be that the
data is inaccurate. Evidence of potentially inaccurate data can be seen in the lack of
temperature change in runs 2 and 3. The fact that some enthalpies in a few runs were
relatively like that of the enthalpies interpolated from the steam table may support this claim.

Questions and Answers (NOTE: Use separate sheet for the answers.)

1. Demonstrate that if the Clausius statement of the second Law were suddenly discovered
invalid, a consequence would be the violation of the Kelvin-Planck statement.
It is worth noting that neither of the statements have been proven; however, they have
not been disproven and are presumed correct for the time being. The Clausius statement and
the Kelvin-Planck statement can be related to each other. The Clausius statement states that
a device that operates on a cycle must consume work for heat transfer to occur. The Kelvin-
Planck statement states that a device that operates on a cycle cannot produce work if it only
interacts with one heat reservoir.

The image above shows a heat pump which violates the Clausius statement as heat
transfer occurs without any work being applied. Notice that there are two reservoirs which
means that the heat engine technically does not violate the Kelvin-Planck statement if the
heat engine and heat pump are separate devices.

When the two devices are connected, the system now violates both statements. The
heat pump transfers heat without work which violates the Clausius statement. The heat that
is rejected by the heat engine goes to a temperature reservoir; however, this rejected heat is
simply pumped straight back into the other temperature reservoir essentially uninterrupted
meaning that the reservoir that collects the heat rejected by the heat engine is rendered
useless. This then violates the Kelvin-Plank statement (Chapter 5: The Second Law of
Thermodynamics, n.d.).
2. What are the three common errors often used in temperature measurements?
There are many possible errors that could occur when measuring temperature. One of
the most common errors is the inaccurate use and reading of a temperature measuring device.
This may be due to a lack of understanding of how to use the device or misuse of the device.
Another common error could be a miscalibrated temperature measuring device. It is
always important to check if the device to be used is still in working order and is still
calibrated to ensure the accuracy of the measures.
It is also important to replace temperature measuring devices such as thermometers after
each trial. Reusing the same measuring device may affect the succeeding results of the
experiment as the lingering heat from the previous trials may still be affecting the measuring
device.
3. What are the precautions to be done when using the thermometer for measuring the
fluids temperature?
There are three key precautions that must be taken when using a thermometer for
measuring fluids. The first precaution is to not tilt the thermometer as this can cause
inaccuracies when taking measurements. Make sure to always keep the thermometer upright.
The second precaution is to make sure that the bulb, the tip of the thermometer, is completely
submerged and fully immersed the fluid being measured. Not doing so may lead to inaccurate
measurements. Lastly, the bulb should not touch any part of the container as that may likely
influence the temperature that is measured by the thermometer (Science Chapter 4 - Heat,
2020).
4. In thermodynamics, the word “absolute temperature” is always used. What does this
signify?
Absolute temperature refers to a scale wherein zero is taken as absolute zero. This means
that no temperature can be less than zero. It is also worth noting that absolute zero is
theoretically impossible to reach as absolute zero means that molecular particles must have
no kinetic energy which is against the laws of physics. The temperature scales that use
absolute zero are the Kelvin and Rankine scale (Helmenstine, 2018).

References

Chapter 5: The Second Law of Thermodynamics. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ohio.edu:

https://www.ohio.edu/mechanical/thermo/Intro/Chapt.1_6/Chapter5.html
Helmenstine, A. M. (2018, March 7). Absolute Temperature Definition. Retrieved from
ThoughtCo.: https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-absolute-temperature-
604354
Science Chapter 4 - Heat. (2020, June 4). Retrieved from
http://www.aees.gov.in/htmldocs/downloads/e-content_06_04_20/vii-sci-
heat%20handout.pdf