Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Saturated steam refers to steam that is in equilibrium with water at the boiling point, meaning it is at a specific temperature and pressure. This type of steam has reached a point where further heating will not change its temperature without changing its pressure, and it can coexist with liquid water.

When steam is described as being "saturated," it indicates that it is at the saturation temperature corresponding to its pressure. At this point, it is neither superheated (beyond its saturation temperature) nor does it contain a mixture of water droplets (which would make it wet steam).

Understanding the concept of saturated steam is vital in various applications, such as in boilers and heat exchangers, as it provides a baseline for determining the efficiency and effectiveness of thermal systems. The term implies that the steam has the maximum energy potential for conversion to work, such as in turbine systems or heating processes, without the complications of moisture content.