♨️

Steam Distribution System Simulator

Low, medium, and high pressure steam distribution. Animated one-line diagram shows steam flow from boiler header through supply mains to terminal equipment, with steam traps at each branch and condensate return. Sizes supply mains, branches, and condensate return per ASME steam tables.

System Pressure Class

Latent heat: 965 BTU/lb · Density: 0.0372 lb/ft³

Total System Output500k BTUH

518 lb/hr steam

Number of Branch Lines4

Steam Trap Type

Safety factor: 1.5× · Back pressure ratio: 0.5

System Summary

Total Steam Flow518 lb/hr

Supply Main3" pipe

Supply Velocity4522 fpm

Return Main¾" pipe

Branch Size1¼" each

Pipe Sizing & Steam Trap Analysis

Supply Main — 518 lb/hr total

Pipe Size	ID (in)	Velocity (fpm)	Velocity Check
1¼"	1.38	22349	Too fast
1½"	1.61	16420	Too fast
2"	2.067	9962	Too fast
2½"	2.469	6982	Good
3" ✓	3.068	4522	Good
4"	4.026	2626	High
6"	6.065	1157	High
8"	7.981	668	Too slow

Branch Steam Trap Sizing (Float & Thermostatic)

Branch	Load (BTUH)	Condensate (lb/hr)	Trap Load w/ Safety	Model (indicative)	Pipe Size
HX-1	125k	129.5	194.3 lb/hr	STR-M-300	1¼"
HX-2	125k	129.5	194.3 lb/hr	STR-M-300	1¼"
HX-3	125k	129.5	194.3 lb/hr	STR-M-300	1¼"
HX-4	125k	129.5	194.3 lb/hr	STR-M-300	1¼"

Velocity limits (ASME/industry): Supply mains 4,000–6,000 fpm, branch takeoffs 3,000–5,000 fpm, wet return mains 1,500–2,500 fpm. Steam trap safety factor 2–3× accounts for startup condensate surge. Float & thermostatic traps preferred for modulating loads; thermodynamic (disc) traps for high-pressure drip stations; inverted bucket for high-reliability process applications.