Significant amount of heat is loss when using the steam. We must try to check this loss of energy as much as possible.
This loss is due to radiation from steam carrying pipes. Therefore, there is a great need for lagging flanges. Box lagged flanges should be provided to check loss of energy.
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Nearly 5 tonnes of coal a year is wasted if a steam pipe of 150 mm is having five uncovered flanges.
A three metre length of uncovered 150 mm piping carrying steam at a pressure of 7 atmospheres can result in wastage of 5 tonnes of coal or 3000 litres of oil in a year.
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As it is not possible to lag all kinds of process equipment likes boiling pans and odd shaped vessels can be painted with aluminium paint for reducing the heat losses from the exposed surface.
Secondly, energy can be conserved by doing less amount of work with steam. It is important to maintain the indoor temperatures within limits, in space heating applications, when outside (ambient temperature) increases.
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This can be done either manually or by some automatic means so that the excess temperatures or work done by system is reduced.
Here is an example which illustrates how fuel loss takes place. If the room temperature is being maintained at 28°C, and room temperature needed is 25°C and outside atmospheric (ambient) temperature is 150°C, the ratio of 28 – 15/25 – 15 = 1.3 indicates the fuel loss during heating.
Fuel wastage of 22% will take place even if excess temperature is only 3°C. We must shut off the steam, when it is not required.