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Heat transfer properties of oil and steam

Q: Please explain which has the most effective and efficient heat transfer properties between heating: oil or steam? The project I am working on currently uses steam at 850 Kpa and heats a chamber through a steel-jacketed system. The process needs to heat as quickly as possible and needs to obtain a temperature around 136ºC. The process is for sterilization and uniformed heating is not important.

A: In general, the film coefficient for condensation of steam will be higher than that of a typical thermal oil circulating system. The heat transfer rate per unit area (flux), however, is the product of film coefficient and temperature difference. The heat flux of a hot-oil system can be made equivalent to that of a steam system if the oil temperature is increased. If steam is available and at a high enough temperature, then this is frequently the first choice.