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Plant engineering calculator · Updated 17 September 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.

Inputs

Live results

  • Makeup 3.50 t/h
  • Return ratio 70.0%
  • Annual makeup 24500 t
  • Annual water cost 36750

Formula and method

makeup=steam+blowdown−condensate return.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What does this Boiler Makeup Water Calculator calculate?

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

Is this suitable for final design?

Use it as a transparent engineering screen. Verify final decisions against measured data, OEM curves, applicable standards and site operating limits.

Why are assumptions visible?

Plant calculations can look precise while hiding uncertain inputs. MAXScanner keeps the governing assumptions visible so scenarios can be checked and compared.

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