3rd Class Stationary Steam Engineer License Practice Test

The type of steam produced at a given pressure and temperature can be understood by examining the relationship between these two parameters. In this scenario, the boiler is generating steam at a pressure of 100 PSI and a temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

To determine if the steam is saturated or superheated, we first recognize that saturated steam is defined as steam that is in equilibrium with water at a specific temperature and pressure. Saturated steam will exist at the boiling point of water at that pressure. In the case of 100 PSI, the saturation temperature is approximately 330 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the generated steam is at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is significantly higher than the saturation temperature, the steam cannot be considered saturated.

Superheated steam is defined as steam that has been heated beyond its saturation temperature, meaning it is at a temperature above the boiling point for the given pressure. Because the steam in this question is produced at a temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it is well above the saturation point for 100 PSI. This makes it superheated steam.

Thus, the steam produced in this scenario is classified as superheated steam because it exceeds the saturation temperature at the specified pressure.