LearnChemE

Interactive Self-Study Module: Steam Tables

Overview:

This module uses screencasts and interactive simulations to explain how to use steam tables to determine various water properties. It then provides example problems and ConcepTests to allow the user to test themselves. Your retention of material in this module will increase if you write down reasons for your answers to ConcepTests, questions in screencasts, and questions to answer before using interactive simulation, and you try to solve the example problems before watching the screencast solutions. We suggest reviewing the Single-Component Phase Equilibrium module before using the learning resources in the following order:

  1. Attempt to answer the multiple-choice ConcepTest and solve the example problem before watching the screencasts or working with the simulations.
  2. Watch the screencasts that describe the steam tables and answer the questions within the screencasts.
  3. Review important equations for steam tables.
  4. Use the interactive simulation to further understand the behavior of saturated water.
  5. Try to solve the example problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
  6. Answer the ConcepTests.
  7. Look at the list of key points, but only after you try to list the key points yourself. 
Motivation:
  • Steam tables provide accurate physical property data including specific volume, internal energy, enthalpy, and entropy for water as a function of temperature and pressure. 
  • This module is intended for material and energy balance and thermodynamics courses.
Before studying this module, you should:
After studying this module, you should be able to:
  • Determine a state property of water when given two other state properties  (pressure, temperature, volume, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy). 
  • Interpolate in the steam tables (single and double interpolation).
  • Explain the difference between the saturated steam tables and the super-heated steam tables.