Steam

Steam is the gaseous form of water and one of the most important hot fluids in Oxygen Not Included. It can be condensed directly into Water, making it a useful intermediary for recovering clean water from heated systems. Because it remains a gas at temperatures above 100°C, it is commonly used in high-temperature machinery and heat-management designs.

Steam has several practical uses throughout the game. Steam Engines can use steam at any temperature to propel Rockets, and Saunas can operate with steam of any temperature as well. Steam Turbines generate power from steam hotter than 125°C, turning excess heat into electricity while also helping regulate extremely hot industrial setups. Because Steam has a higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity than Hydrogen Gas, it can also serve as a gaseous heat-transfer medium in environments above 100°C where Hydrogen Gas would otherwise be used.

In practice, Steam is most often encountered as the working fluid of industrial heat loops, rocket systems, and temperature-control builds. Its ability to be liquefied back into Water makes it especially valuable in closed-loop designs, since it allows heat to be cycled through a system without permanently consuming the fluid.

• Steam can be condensed directly into Water, which is a major resource in the game.
• Steam Engines can be powered by Steam at any temperature.
• Saunas can use Steam at any temperature.
• Steam Turbines generate power from Steam above 125°C.
• Steam is useful as a hot gaseous medium in systems above 100°C because of its thermal properties.