scope:

STEAM systems use the vapor phase of water to supply heat or kinetic energy through a piping system. As a source of heat, steam can heat a conditioned space with suitable terminal heat transfer equipment such as fan-coil units, unit heaters, radiators, and convectors (finned tube or cast iron), or steam can heat through a heat exchanger that supplies hot water or some other heat transfer medium to the terminal units. In addition, steam is commoniy used in heat exchangers (shell-and-tube, plate, or coil types) to heat domestic hot water and supply heat for industrial and commercial processes such as in laundries and kitchens. Steam is also used as a heat source for certain cooling processes such as single-stage and two-stage absorption refrigeration machines.