ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines how a typical steam system loses energy and becomes inefficient. The “pure” water from the condensed steam still contains valuable energy and for efficient operation it should be recovered and transported back the boiler plant where it is reheated into turned back into steam and recycled in the system once again. Boilers and their distribution systems have a closely interrelated efficiency. The losses involved in distribution systems have a significant impact on boiler operations and efficiency. The steam distribution system moves the steam from the boiler to perform work at some distant location. They do not usually exist separately and they work together to establish a combined efficiency. The largest energy loss in steam systems is flash steam in open condensate recovery systems. When the hot condensate passes through a trap from a high energy level to a lower energy level and percentage of the water flashes into steam.
