What defines dry saturated steam?

Dry saturated steam is defined as steam that exists at the boiling point of water and contains a maximum allowed quantity of water vapor, which is typically less than a specific percentage—in this case, less than 2% water content. This means that the steam is fully converted from liquid to gas, achieving a saturated state while ensuring that there is minimal residual liquid water present.

In practical terms, dry saturated steam is essential in various applications because it carries energy efficiently and is capable of providing consistent heat. Levels beyond the defined 2% could lead to a situation where water droplets are present, thus affecting the thermal energy transfer properties and potentially causing issues in the machinery or processes relying on it.

Other options might describe conditions associated with steam, but they do not accurately capture the definition of dry saturated steam:

• The first definition suggests that steam has no water content at all, which implies it is dry and not saturated.

• The third option describes steam at the boiling point but lacks the context of water content, which is crucial for defining dry saturated steam.

• The fourth option introduces superheated gases, which indicates steam that has been heated beyond its boiling point, rather than being in a saturated state.

Thus, dry saturated steam is specifically characterized by its very low water