Boiler Feed Pump Calculation
About Boiler Feed Pump Sizing
Properly sizing a boiler feed pump is essential for steam system reliability and efficiency. The pump must supply enough water to match steam output, compensate for blowdown losses, and overcome all system pressure drops. This calculation considers boiler capacity, blowdown rate, system head losses, and redundancy factors to help you select the right pump for your application.
Properly sizing a boiler feed pump is essential for steam system reliability and efficiency. The pump must supply enough water to match steam output, compensate for blowdown losses, and overcome all system pressure drops. This calculation considers boiler capacity, blowdown rate, system head losses, and redundancy factors to help you select the right pump for your application.
How to Use the Boiler Feed Pump Calculation Page
- Enter the heating surface area of your boiler in square feet. This value is usually found in the boiler’s technical documentation.
- Input the evaporation rate (in lb/ft²/hr), which depends on your boiler type and operating pressure. If unsure, use the default value provided.
- Specify the blowdown rate as a percentage. This represents the portion of water intentionally discharged to control impurities. Typical values range from 1% to 5%.
- Provide the boiler operating pressure in psig and total head loss in feet. Head loss accounts for all piping, fittings, and system resistance the pump must overcome.
- Select your feedwater control type and desired redundancy. The control type determines how much additional capacity is needed for system responsiveness. Redundancy ensures continued operation if one pump fails.
After filling in all fields, click the “Calculate” button. The results will display key parameters: required steam output, feedwater flow, net pump capacity, discharge pressure, and per-pump requirements. The explanation section details the formulas used and the significance of each result, helping you make informed decisions for pump selection and system design.