LP [low pressure], MP [medium pressure] HP [high pressure], and VHP [very high pressure] steam

An important point is that pressure windows for LP, MP, and HP are the broad-use practices followed in the industry according to the process requirements.

The primary distinctions among low-pressure (LP), medium-pressure (MP), high-pressure (HP), and very high-pressure (VHP) steam are found in the pressure and temperature ranges. The pressure and temperature requirements of the different processes determine the particular applications for LP, MP, LP, and VHP steam. Chemical processes optimize the generation and distribution of these steam levels to meet process demands throughout the facility and maximize energy efficiency.

Typical pressure and temperature ranges are as follows:

-LP steam: 0-15 psig (pounds per square inch gauge) and 212-240°F

-MP steam: 15-150 psig and 250-366°F

-HP steam: 150-600 psig and 366-482°F

-VHP steam: Over 600 psig and over 482°F

The temperature of the steam increases with increasing pressure. This has an impact on the energy content and the possible uses of the steam.

The particular application and the need for temperature, energy density, and other variables will determine the steam pressure to use. In general, higher-pressure steam has more energy per unit volume, but handling the higher pressure also calls for more specialized equipment

Because it has the lowest temperature and pressure, low-pressure industrial processes, water heating, and space heating are common uses for low-temperature LP steam. MP steam is utilized in more intensive industrial processes because of its higher energy density. With their extremely high energy content, HP and VHP steam are utilized in refineries, power plants, and other heavy industry applications that call for extremely high pressures and temperatures.

Typical example: Petroleum refineries

LP steam:  Utilised in vacuum distillation units, crude oil distillation units, and certain fractionation towers for heating, stripping, and distillation operations that call for lower-temperature steam. - Used in steam-driven machinery such as ejectors and steam turbines, as well as reboilers and steam heaters. It is also used in steam tracing.

MP Steam: Used in certain fractionation towers, hydrotreating units, and catalytic reforming units where higher temperature heating requirements are required than in LP steam. - Used in equipment that requires intermediate steam pressure, such as reboilers, process heaters, and steam-driven machinery.

HP Steam: - Used in the refinery's highest-temperature heating applications, including steam methane reformers, hydrogen production units, and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units. - Used in steam turbines, process heaters, and other machinery that needs high-pressure steam.