Calculator

Steam Quality Estimator

Estimate steam dryness fraction using the throttling-calorimeter method — flash wet steam to a low pressure and measure the superheat temperature.

Interactive toolUpdated July 2026

Inputs

hf₁ 781, hfg₁ 1999 kJ/kg

tsat₂ 100°C

Superheat 30.0°C

Results

Dryness Fraction x

0.978

steam quality 97.8%

Steam vs Water
97.8% vapour
x = (h₂ − hf₁) / hfg₁ = (2736 − 781) / 1999

How It Works

x = (h₂ − hf₁) / hfg₁, where h₂ = hg₂ + cp·(T₂ − tsat₂)

Throttling drops the pressure without changing enthalpy. If the steam is wet, the flashing dries it and superheats it at P₂. Measuring the superheat gives h₂, which back-calculates the original dryness. Target process steam x > 0.98; turbine steam > 0.995.

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