Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), pp.

84-93
International Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences and Technology
ISSN 2229 - 6107
Available online at www.ijopaasat.in

Research Paper
Computerised Calculations of Thermo-Physical Steam
and Air Properties
Tonye K. Jack

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Corresponding author, e-mail: (tonyekjack@yahoo.com)

(Received: 21-1-12; Accepted: 14-3-12)

Abstract: Methods are described for the development of a desktop computerised aid for
steam and air properties calculation using Microsoft Excel TM and associated Visual Basic
for Applications (VBA) automation tool. The methods allow for overcoming the tedious
routines of conducting mid-point interpolation calculations. The methods can be extended
to other fluids’ properties data calculations.

Keywords: Steam properties, Air properties, Thermo-physical properties Calculation,

Engineering with Microsoft Excel, Engineering with spreadsheet

1. Introduction:
Accurate pressure, volume, and temperature (PVT) properties data in thermo-fluids design and
analysis calculations are essential. Even in an era of wide spread computer applications, the tabular
methods are still popular because of the propriety nature of most thermo-fluids software. Microsoft
Excel TM can be used to develop desktop tools to aid in obtaining look-up data when required in hand-
calculations. The tedium with handling interpolations in mid-point data are eliminated by easily
programming the mathematical functions available, in Microsoft Excel TM. Three methods are open to
the program developer – (1) using the familiar tabular data when treated as database list files and
using database functions to compute the required output data; (2) the actual equations programmed
directly into cells; (3) mathematical equations of properties converted and listed as part of Microsoft
Excel Function PakTM.

2. Steam Properties Equations:

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) [1], and the 1967 International Formulation
for Steam (IFS) Committee [2], provides handbook details of accepted equations for computing steam
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 85

properties. ASME handbook method is based on the IFS formulation. Several thermodynamic
Equations of State are also available for calculating steam properties. The use of an Equation of State
might sometimes involve iterative means for which an appropriate interpolation function can pose
difficulty. While the IFS and ASME equations can be developed into computer programs (ASME has
an accompanying software program based on their handbook which can be obtained for a fee), the
process can be time consuming because of the lengthy equations involving several variables.
However, Irvine and Liley [3] have provided reliable, very useful and easily programmable explicit
equations for saturated steam properties for the temperature and pressure ranges 273.1 K≤TS≤647.3 K
and 0.000611 MPa≤PS≤22.08 MPa respectively. Also, superheated steam properties equations are
available to calculate specific volume, enthalpy and entropy within the ranges of temperature and
pressure covered in typical steam tables.

3. Saturated Equations Form:

3.1 Saturation Temperature Equation, Ts

B
Ts = A + (1)
LogPs + C

Where the constant terms A, B, C, are provided for two ranges of pressure (0.000611 MPa≤PS≤12.33
MPa) and 12.33 MPa≤PS≤22.08 MPa

3.2 Saturation Pressure Equation, Ps

9
A10
LogPs = ∑A
N =0
N + TsN +
Ts − A11
(2)

The simplicity of applying the Irvine and Liley [3] relations is in the following polynomial relation
for the Y(s) parameter of equation (3). The Y(s) parameter is then used to calculate liquid and vapour
saturation values for specific volume, enthalpy and entropy.

1 5 7 7
Ys = A + BTC + CTC + DTC + ∑ E N TCN
3 6 8
(3)
N =1

The constants, A, B, C, D and EN are different for liquid and vapour properties for any particular
property, but cover the entire saturation range of 273.16 K≤TS≤647.3 K.

Where,
(TCR − TS )
TC = (4)
TCR

And, Critical Temperature, TCR = 647.3 K

3.3 Saturation Specific Volume Properties Equations, V

The saturation liquid and vapour specific volumes, VF and VG respectively, are obtained from:

V F = (YS )(V FCR ) (5)

Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 86

(PCR )(VGCR )
VG = (YS ) (6)
PS

Critical specific volume for liquid, VFCR equals the critical specific volume for vapour, VGCR
i.e. VFCR = VGCR = 0.003155 m3/kg, and Critical Pressure, PCR = 22.089 MPa

3.4 Saturation Enthalpy Properties Equations, H

The saturation liquid and vapour enthalpies, HF and HG respectively, are obtained from:

H F = (YS )(H FCR ) (7)

H G = (YS )(H GCR ) (8)

Critical enthalpy for liquid HFCR equals the critical enthalpy for vapour, HGCR
i.e. HFCR = HGCR = 2099.3 kJ/kg

3.5 Saturation Entropy Properties Equations, S

The saturation liquid and vapour entropies, SF and SG respectively, are obtained from:

S F = (YS )(S FCR ) (9)

S G = (YS )(S GCR ) (10)

Critical entropy for liquid SFCR equals the critical entropy for vapour, SGCR
i.e. SFCR = SGCR = 4.4289 kJ/kg.K

3.6 Latent Heat of Vapourisation Equations, HFG

Latent heat of vapourisation, HFG is obtained from:

H FG = (YS )(H FGTP ) (11)

HFGTP = 2500.9 kJ/kg

4. Superheated Equations’ Forms:

4.1 Specific Volume, VPT

1   
N   TS − T  
− B1 exp(− B2T ) +
RT (12)
V PT =  B3 − exp ∑ AN Ts exp 
P 10 P   
  M 
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 87

4.2 Enthalpy, HPT

T − T 
H PT = ∑ AN T N − A3 exp  S  (13)
 M 

4.3 Entropy, SPT

4 4
 T − T 
S PT = ∑ AN T N + B1 Log [10P + B2 ] − ∑ C N TSN exp S 
(14)
N =0 N =0   M 

Values for the constants AN, BN, CN, M, and R are provided in Irvine and Liley[3].

5. Developing Calculations Options:

On screen input-to-desired output options can be developed to suit different calculation types. For
example: input, Temperature, and Volume represented as i(T,V) with output, enthalpy, entropy and
pressure, represented as o(h, s, P). Other derivable input-to-desired output options are:

i(T, s), o(V, h, P)

i(P, V), o(h, s, T)

i(P, h), o(V, s, T)

i(P, s), o(h, V, T)

(15)

Quality of steam (which is a two-phase, liquid-vapour mixture), is the vapour mass fraction, x,
defined by equation (16a); this can also be factored into the calculations in the form:

i(T, x), o(V, h, s, T)

i(P, x), o(V, h, s, P)

(16)
ψ mix − ψ f
x= (16a)
ψ g −ψ f

6. The Method of Database Look-up Functions:

Treating the Y(s) parameters as cell values, shown by the tabular layout format in Table 1, the
database and list functions in Microsoft Excel can be used to display required property outputs in the
formatted interface displays.
The HLOOKUP, VLOOKUP and INDEX, Microsoft Excel functions are useful in stringing together
several data from tabular lists in different Microsoft Excel worksheets for display on other formatted
interface type worksheet. The IF, AND, OR functions assist with proper stringing. Example string
type Microsoft Excel database lookup equations developed within the steam properties program are:
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 88

=IF(AND(273.16<=G3,G3<=300),INDEX(temperature!A1:R6,2,6),
IF(AND(300<=G3,G3<=600),INDEX(temperature!A1:R6,2,12),
IF(AND(600<=G3,G3<=647.3),INDEX(temperature!A1:R6,2,18))))
(17)
=IF(AND(0.01<=E3,E3<=370),(VLOOKUP(E3,Sheet2!A2:Q372,2))+(E3-
VLOOKUP(E3,Sheet2!A2:Q372,1))*VLOOKUP(E3,Sheet2!A2:Q372,3))
(18)

Where, the “temperature!” is the sheet name in equation (17) as shown with the function equation
type of equation (18).

Table1: Tabular Layout Example of the Y(s) Parameter

Programmed cell values for Specific Volume

7. The Method of Functions PaksTM:

Since the saturation properties are available as functions of temperature or pressure i.e. f(T) or f(P),
corresponding Microsoft Excel VBA functions can be developed which will be available amongst the
Microsoft Excel list macro functions in the form, hSatSteam(temperature) = enthalpy of saturated
steam. This is a useful naming convention, to distinguish property types.

A Microsoft Excel VBA function program example for water saturation temperature as a function of
B
pressure using equation (1), i.e., Ts = A + as example, is of the form:
LogPs + C
Function SatTempWater(Pressure)

J=log (Ps) ‘returns log value in saturation temperature equation’

K=J+C ‘returns the denominator value’
L=B/K
SatTempWater =(A+L)

End Function
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 89

8. Steam Properties Computation Examples:

Fig. 1: Excel Screen Display for: Saturated Process

Steam Properties for values of Temperature

Fig. 2: Excel Screen Display for: Saturated Process

Steam Properties for values of Pressure

Fig. 3: Excel Screen Display for: Superheated

Steam Properties given pressure and temperature
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 90

Fig. 4: Excel Screen Display for: Saturation Condition:

Transport Properties for values of Temperature

Fig. 5: Excel Screen Display for:

Superheated Steam Properties Calculator

Fig. 6: Excel Screen Display for:

Steam Properties Calculator
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 91

9. Air Properties Equations:

The Irvine and Liley [3] thermodynamic air properties and applicable equations useful for
engineering design calculations are:

9.1 Specific Heat at Constant Pressure, Cp :

4
CP = ∑A
N =0
N TN (19)

9.2 Specific Heat at Constant Volume, Cv :

CV = C P − R (20)

Where, R = Gas Constant = 0.287040 KJ/kgK

9.3 Enthalpy, H:
3 T
H= ∑ AN T N ≡ ∫ C p dT
N =0
(21)
T0

9.4 Internal Energy, U:

U = H − RT (22)

9.5 Entropy Function, E:

1 T
 dT 
E= ∑ AN T N
+ A2 Log (T ) ≡ ∑ CP   (23)
N =0 T0  T 

9.6 Isentropic Pressure ratio, PR:

E
PR = exp  (24)
R

9.7 Isentropic Pressure Function, IPR:

E
IPR = (25)
R

9.8 Isentropic Volume Function, IVR:

IVR = Log ( RT ) − IPR (26)

9.9 Specific Heat Ratio, G:

Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 92

1
G= (27)
  R 
1 −  C P 

9.9.1 Speed of Sound, a:

a = [GRT ]
1
2
(28)

10. Transport Properties of Air:

Within the temperature range: 250 K≤T≤1050 K, the dynamic viscosity, µs, and thermal conductivity,
k, equations are defined as:

10.1 Dynamic Viscosity, µs,:

5
µ S = ∑ BN T N (29)
N =0

10.2 Thermal Conductivity, k:

5
k= ∑C
N =0
N TN (30)

Again, the values of the constants, AN, BN, CN can be found in Irvine and Liley [3].

11. Air Properties Computation Examples:

Fig. 7: Excel Screen Display for: Thermodynamic properties

of air for temperature range 250 to 2000 K
Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 9(2) (2012), 84-93. 93

Fig. 8: Excel Screen Display for:

Transport Properties of Air for temperature range 250 to 1050 K

12. Conclusions:
The outputs are comparable to that available from standard steam tables and will provide a useful tool
for desktop hand calculations thereby eliminating time consuming mid-point interpolation routines.

References

[1] ASME Steam Tables: Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of Steam, 6th ed., New York,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1993
[2] International Formulation for Steam (IFS) Conference: Formulation for Industrial use Handbook,
1967
[3] T. F. Irvine Jr., and P. E. Liley, Steam and Gas Tables with Computer Equations, Orlando,
Academic Press, 1984