Empirical Correlations of Saturated Steam Properties

Abstract

Summary Both steamdrive and steam stimulation processes for EOR involve thermodynamic and transport properties of steam. These properties have roles in the fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass and heat balances of recovery processes. Hence, they affect, not only the operation of the process, but also the economics and management of the oil recovery project. This paper presents empirical correlations of thermodynamic and transport properties of saturated steam in dimensionless forms as functions of either reduced temperature or reduced pressure. The pressure range of the correlations extends from atmospheric to 3, 000 psia [20.7 MPa]. The properties include saturation temperature, saturation pressure, specific volume, specific enthalpy, specific entropy, isobaric specific heat, dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity, dielectric constant, surface tension, and isentropic expansion exponents. Compared with values listed in current steam tables, the calculated properties are accurate within ±0.02 % for saturation temperature and pressure, within ±0.12 % for thermodynamic properties, and within ±0.27% for transport properties.