Boiler Calculator watch tutorial view guide
Determines the amount of fuel energy required to produce steam with specified properties at a given flow rate using general boiler operational characteristics.
Allowed Range / Limits | |
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Minimum | |
Maximum | |
Examples: | Mouse Over |
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Saturated Steam | Super-heated Steam |
Calculation Details and Assumptions below
Steam |
Mass Flow | 88.3 klb/hr | |
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Pressure | 8.2 psig | Sp. Enthalpy | 1,613.6 btu/lbm |
Temperature | 621.7 °C | Sp. Entropy | 8.943 kJ/kg/K |
Phase | Gas | Energy Flow | 150,321 |















Boiler
Blowdown Rate | 5.0 % |
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Boiler Energy | 133,587 |
Combustion Efficiency | 70.9 % |
Fuel Energy | 188,416 |
Blowdown |
Mass Flow | 4.6 klb/hr | |
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Pressure | 8.2 psig | Sp. Enthalpy | 203.6 btu/lbm |
Temperature | 112.9 °C | Sp. Entropy | 1.450 kJ/kg/K |
Saturated | 0.00 | Energy Flow | 998 |
Feedwater |
Mass Flow | 92.9 klb/hr | |
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Pressure | 0.2 psig | Sp. Enthalpy | 180.8 btu/lbm |
Temperature | 100.4 °C | Sp. Entropy | 1.311 kJ/kg/K |
Saturated | 0.00 | Energy Flow | 17,732 |
Calculation Details
Step 1: Determine Properties of Steam Produced
Using the Steam Property Calculator, properties are determined using Steam Pressure and the selected second parameter (Temperature, Specific Enthalpy, Specific Entropy, or Quality). The Specific Enthalpy is then multiplied by the Mass Flow to get the Energy Flow:- Pressure = 8.2 psig
- Temperature = 621.7 °C
- [Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 1,613.6 btu/lbm
- Steam Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Steam Energy Flow = 150,321 = 1,613.6 btu/lbm * 88.3 klb/hr ]
Step 2: Determine Feedwater Properties and Mass Flow
The feedwater flow rate can be calculated from steam mass flow and blowdown rate:- Blowdown Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate
- Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow - Blowdown Mass Flow
- Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow - Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate
- Feedwater Mass Flow = Steam Mass Flow / [ 1 - Blowdown Rate ]
[ Feedwater Mass Flow = 92.9 klb/hr = 88.3 klb/hr / ( 1 - 0.05 ) ]
- Pressure = 0.2 psig
- Quality = 0.00
- [Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 180.8 btu/lbm
- Feedwater Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Feedwater Energy Flow = 17,732 = 180.8 btu/lbm * 92.9 klb/hr ]
Step 3: Determine Blowdown Properties and Mass Flow
Using the calculated feedwater mass flow and blowdown rate:- Blowdown Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate
[ Blowdown Mass Flow = 4.6 klb/hr = 92.9 klb/hr * 0.05 ]
- Pressure = 8.2 psig
- Quality = 0.00
- [Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 203.6 btu/lbm
- Blowdown Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Blowdown Energy Flow = 998 = 203.6 btu/lbm * 4.6 klb/hr ]
Step 4: Determine Boiler Energy
- Boiler Energy = Steam Energy Flow + Blowdown Energy Flow - Feedwater Energy Flow
[ Boiler Energy (Flow) = 133,587 = 150,321 + 998 - 17,732 ]
Step 5: Determine Fuel Energy
- Fuel Energy = Boiler Energy / Combustion Efficiency
[ Fuel Energy = 188,416 = 133,587 / 0.709 ]
Assumptions
- Deaerator provides feedwater near the boiling temperature for the deaerator's set operating pressure. (Saturated Liquid)
- Steam, Boiler, and Blowdown Pressure are the same.
- Combustion Efficiency is the % of fuel energy that is directly added to the feedwater and not otherwise lost or used.
- Blowdown Rate is the % of incoming feedwater mass flow rate that leaves the boiler as a saturated liquid at boiler pressure.
- Does not include any evaluation of any complex boiler configurations or fluctuations in operation.
- Energy from motors (pumps, fans, etc.) are not considered.
- Boiler and fuel types are not considered.