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Plant Engineering Calculator

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Boiler Makeup Water Calculator — Steam, Condensate Return & Blowdown

Calculate makeup-water demand from steam production, condensate return and blowdown, with return ratio and annual water requirement.

Live calculationWorking shownPrivate in browser

Inputs

Results

Makeup 3.50 t/h
Return ratio 70.0%
Annual makeup 24500 t
Annual water cost $36750
More actions

Shared links reopen these inputs. Recent and saved calculations stay in this browser unless you clear site data.

Formula

makeup=steam+blowdown−condensate return.

Your calculation, step by step

These steps use the values currently entered above so the result can be checked independently.

  1. 1.Makeup = steam + blowdown − condensate return = 10.000 + 0.500 − 7.000 = 3.500 t/h.
  2. 2.Condensate return ratio = 7.000 ÷ 10.000 × 100 = 70.00%.
  3. 3.Annual makeup = 3.500 × 7000 = 24500.00 t/year.
  4. 4.At $1.500/m³-equivalent entered water cost, annual screening value = $36750.00.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter measured or design values using the units shown beside each field.
  2. Review the live results and the substituted calculation steps before using the estimate.
  3. Check the assumptions below, then continue to a related calculator when the next engineering decision needs another model.

Worked example

10 t/h steam, 7 t/h condensate return and 0.5 t/h blowdown require about 3.5 t/h makeup.

Assumptions and limits

  • Mass balance assumes steady average operation.
  • Include other drains, vents and intermittent losses separately when material.

How to interpret the result

Treat the primary result as an engineering screening value, then use the secondary outputs to understand scale, energy or operating impact. Confirm site measurements, equipment limits and applicable standards before making a design or control change.

Questions engineers ask

Why is makeup = steam + blowdown − condensate return?

At steady state, feedwater entering must replace water leaving as steam plus blowdown and other losses, while returned condensate reduces fresh makeup demand. This owner includes only the three entered streams.

Can makeup water be negative?

No. If entered condensate return exceeds steam plus blowdown, the streams or time bases are inconsistent. The calculator should reject that state rather than report negative purchased water.

What other water losses might need adding?

Vents, drains, leaks, sampling, soot-blowing or process losses can be material depending on the plant. Add them through a fuller boiler-water balance when they are not negligible.

Continue the calculation

Use the next calculator in the same engineering workflow instead of restarting from search.

condensate returnboiler blowdownboiler steam output
Methodology. MAXScanner shows the governing formula, entered values and calculation outputs so the estimate is auditable. The calculator is a screening aid; assumptions and equipment-specific limits remain part of the engineering review.