Steam Temperature Calculator

Saturated Steam Temperature Calculator

bar (abs) psi (abs) kPa (abs) atm

Estimated Saturation Temperature:

°C

°F

function calculateSteamTemp() { var pVal = parseFloat(document.getElementById("pressureValue").value); var unit = document.getElementById("pressureUnit").value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById("steamResult"); if (isNaN(pVal) || pVal 221.2) { document.getElementById("tempCelsius").innerText = "N/A"; document.getElementById("tempFahrenheit").innerText = "N/A"; document.getElementById("steamStateNote").innerText = "Pressure exceeds the critical point of water (221.2 bar). Supercritical fluid region."; } else { var tFahr = (tCelsius * 9/5) + 32; document.getElementById("tempCelsius").innerText = tCelsius.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("tempFahrenheit").innerText = tFahr.toFixed(2); document.getElementById("steamStateNote").innerText = "At " + pVal + " " + unit + " (absolute), water boils/condenses at this temperature."; } resultDiv.style.display = "block"; }

Understanding Saturated Steam Temperature

In thermal engineering and HVAC systems, knowing the relationship between pressure and the boiling point of water is crucial. This Steam Temperature Calculator uses the absolute pressure of a system to determine the exact temperature at which water turns into saturated steam.

What is Saturated Steam?

Saturated steam occurs when water is heated to its boiling point for a specific pressure. At this state, the liquid water and gaseous steam coexist in equilibrium. If you add more heat at this point, the water continues to evaporate without a rise in temperature (latent heat). Conversely, if you remove heat, the steam begins to condense back into liquid.

The Pressure-Temperature Relationship

Unlike most liquids, the boiling point of water is highly sensitive to atmospheric or vessel pressure.

• Low Pressure: In a vacuum, water boils at much lower temperatures (useful for food processing and desalination).
• High Pressure: In power plants or autoclaves, increasing the pressure allows water to reach much higher temperatures before turning into steam, which increases energy efficiency.

Practical Example: Industrial Boiler

Imagine an industrial boiler operating at 10 bar (absolute). To find the operating temperature:

1. Select "bar" in the calculator.
2. Enter "10" in the pressure field.
3. The result will show approximately 179.88°C (355.78°F).

This information is vital for selecting the correct pipe insulation, valve ratings, and safety relief settings.

Common Steam Temperature Reference Table

Pressure (bar abs)	Temp (°C)	Temp (°F)
1.013 (Sea Level)	100.0	212.0
2.0	120.2	248.4
5.0	151.8	305.2
15.0	198.3	388.9

Difference Between Gauge and Absolute Pressure

When using this calculator, ensure you are using Absolute Pressure.

• Gauge Pressure (psig / barg): The pressure relative to atmospheric pressure (what you see on most dials).
• Absolute Pressure (psia / bara): Gauge pressure + Atmospheric pressure (approx 1.013 bar or 14.7 psi).

If your gauge reads 100 psi, your absolute pressure for the calculation should be 114.7 psi.