Steam is common used to carry heat from a boiler to consumers as heat exchangers, process equipment etc. More seldom steam is also used for heating purposes in buildings.
Steam systems can be classified by pressure, method for returning condensate and/or pipe lay out.
[h=Classification of Steam Systems by Pressure]3[/h] Its common to classify steam systems as

  • High pressure above 20 kN/m2 (3 lb/in2)
  • Low pressure up to 20 kN/m2 (3 lb/in2)
  • Vacuum

[h=Classification of Steam Systems by Method of Condensate Return]3[/h] Steam systems can be classified as

  • Gravity
  • Mechanical

[h=Classification of Steam Systems by Pipe Lay Out]3[/h] Steam systems can be classified by pipe scheme:

  • One pipe or two pipe
  • Up-feed or down-feed