Properties of superheated steam

Jeff Stevenson demonstrates one of the most misunderstood properties of steam - it is invisible. What you normally see coming off the top of a heated pot of water is steam that has cooled and condensed back into tiny drops of water vapor.

It is possible to superheat steam. By adding heat to the invisible steam it's possible to raise the temperature well above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, you can even ignite a match with superheated steam.

Imagination Station, Toledo's hands-on science center, is a vital non-profit organization that is an integral part of Toledo's economic, educational and social landscape. Imagination Station provides a critical layer of science enrichment by serving as an educational partner for teachers, schools and parents. It's with a thoughtful blend of exhibits, experiences, education and excitement that Imagination Station is inspiring future generations of scientists in Northwest Ohio. With more than 250 hands-on exhibits and demonstrations, Imagination Station delivers a multi-sensory experience that's as fun as it is educational.

[patrickbass]

We learned this first -hand in the engine room of our navy ship and received a very serious caution: If you hear a high pitched whistle it is a steam leak...do not "look" for a steam leak with your hand or you could lose a couple of fingers as the super-heated high pressure steam will cut-off your fingers AND cauterize the wounds instantly without you spilling a drop of blood...this stuff is real!

[johnloosemore]

Notice the matches ignited but showed no tendency to keep burning. That is mostly because the match head coating (like gunpowder) contains its own oxygen, but once the coating is consumed the steam is actually driving away the oxygen from the air -- which would be needed for continued combustion of the wooden matchstick.

[EgadsNo]

I find the most interesting thing about superheated steam, is that water has an incredible ability to continue to expand in volume as it is heated.

[EcorProBVUithoorn]

The young guy is a better presenter than the TV guy

[jackwood]

Buddy of mine was in the navy and told me they looked for steam leaks with wood paddles because of this very demonstration. The steam could slice your fingers off or at the very least burn them to the bone if you didn’t use a paddle. Very dangerous stuff.

[dbmail]

My late father served on numerous ships during WWII including steam-turbine powered that used superheated steam. He said the most dangerous part was you could hear a leak but not see it even though it could cut flesh. He described to me hunting SH steam leaks with a piece of toilet paper on a broomstick. Interesting factoid: in regular steam the energy is in the pressure of the steam while in SH steam the energy is in the temperature of the steam.

[danger]

My father told me when he was in the Navy the boiler room head would demonstrate how dangerous superheated steam can be under pressure by holding a broom handle up to a leak and cutting it in half with the steam. Scary stuff.

[DrivewayWorkshop]

We used to put rags on a broom handle to look for leaks in boiler houses in the steel mill. Better than being cut by a leak.

[gabrielbennett]

During the steam era, locomotive builders had to switch to piston valves when superheated steam was introduced, because it was found that, while it offered better economy, it also badly scorched the valve faces on conventional D-slide valves.

[letsplayvideogames]

This guy is a natural on camera 😂took control of the whole demonstration, get that 5 minutes of fame 💪🏼

[bucharestbiketraffic]

Steam will become interesting only when it's gonna release HL3.

[asifsba]

Where was he looking. The host kept looking to the left, his right.

[paperclips]

I love how Jeff goes straight into the demonstration without acknowledging the pun made by the TV presenter

[raqqa]

Properties of superheated steam:

It has a lot of heat.

*video ends*

[Buttersausage]

He was getting annoyed with the young guy ?

[funny-video-YouTube-channel]

Very nice for understanding that *the super hot steam* is a very different beast from the regular steam.

In the large industrial factories there is steam that is 300º C hot. It's not safe for life and all the pipes are under very hot pressure.

[WildBillCox]

Superheated steam is an important phase used to do the work in shipboard and stationary power generation. Gas turbines have taken over in front line naval surface units, but superheat steam powered turbines are still very much the rule for nuclear powered Super Carriers and nuclear powered Submarines.

[slimsammyone]

I know of industrial situations where they use a broom handle to hunt for steam leaks.

[LZRCuteR]

Industrial superheated steam is extremely dangerous. It can cut off an arm or head if someone passes by a pipe leak they didnt know about, which isn't that hard to do because of the noise in industrial settings. Also, the heat isn't always noticeable until too late because the jet of the steam leak tends to induce a lot of cold air around it with vacuum forces.

[sugeknight-ww]

Sir is an excellent teacher who inspires me to learn and grow. He has a deep knowledge of the subject and explains it with clarity and enthusiasm. He always encourages me to ask questions and challenges me to think critically. He is patient, supportive, and respectful of every student. I admire his teaching style and his passion for education.