Steam Flow - Orifices
Steam flow through orifices - for steam pressures ranging 2 - 300 psi
Steam flow rates can be measured by using orifice plates. The diagram below indicates steam flow rate (lbs/hr) through orifices ranging diameter 1/32" to 1/2" and 2 - 300 psig steam line pressure.
Downstream pressure equals atmospheric pressure.
- 1 lb/hr = 1.26×10-4 kg/s
- 1 psi (lb/in2) = 6,894.8 Pa (N/m2) = 6.895×10-3 N/mm2 = 6.895×10-2 bar
- convert inch to mm
Example - Steam Flow through a 1/4" orifice discharging to the atmosphere - steam pressure 50 psi
By drawing the lines as in the chart above - the discharged steam flow can be estimated to
aprox. 98 lb/h
