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Plant Engineering Calculator

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Condensate Pump Sizing Calculator — Design Flow, Head & Motor kW

Size a condensate return pump from return flow, pickup factor, static head, friction/pressure allowance, density and efficiency. Returns design flow, TDH and input power.

Live calculationWorking shownPrivate in browser

Inputs

Results

Design pump flow 15 m³/h
Total dynamic head 20 m
Hydraulic power 0.77635979 kW
Estimated input power 1.1090854 kW
More actions

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

Formula

Qdesign=Qreturn×factor; H=Hstatic+Hloss; Pin=ρgQH/η.

Your calculation, step by step

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

  1. 1.Design flow = 10 × 1.5 = 15 m³/h; TDH = 12 + 8 = 20 m.
  2. 2.Hydraulic power = 950 × 9.80665 × (15 ÷ 3600) × 20 ÷ 1000 = 0.77635979 kW.
  3. 3.Estimated input power = 0.77635979 ÷ (70/100) = 1.1090854 kW.

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

A 10 m³/h return at 1.5 pickup factor is screened at 15 m³/h design flow.

Assumptions and limits

  • Head allowances must reflect the actual piping and destination pressure.
  • Check hot-condensate NPSH available separately before pump selection.

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 apply a pickup factor to condensate return flow?

The factor provides design flow above the normal return rate for recovery after receiver accumulation or transient return peaks. It should reflect the actual operating strategy rather than an arbitrary margin.

What head should be included for a condensate return pump?

Include static elevation plus piping/friction losses and any destination pressure requirement expressed as head. Do not treat discharge pressure and elevation as interchangeable without unit conversion.

Why must NPSH be checked separately for hot condensate?

Hot condensate can be close to saturation, leaving little pressure margin above vapor pressure. A pump that meets flow, TDH and motor-power screening can still cavitate if NPSH available is inadequate.

Continue the calculation

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

condensate receiver sizingpump total dynamic headboiler feed pump power
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.