Viscosity of Steam at Supercritical Pressures

Abstract

This paper records the measurement of the kinematic viscosity of steam at pressures from 200 kg/cm² to 800 kg/cm² and at temperatures from 370°C to 650°C. The Rankine-type viscometer used for these determinations was originally designed by Kjelland-Fosterud, who obtained preliminary results from it. To improve the reliability and precision of results, several modifications to the original apparatus have been effected and these are described in the text. The standard deviation of the measured values is ± 1.5 per cent and, in general, these are lower than the accepted values given by Timrot. Further, the results indicate a smaller dependence on pressure than hitherto accepted.