Plant engineering calculator · Updated 17 September 2026
Condensate Receiver Sizing Calculator — Return Flow, Hold-Up & Pump Cycling Volume
Size a vented condensate receiver from return mass flow, liquid density, desired hold-up time, usable level fraction and margin. Returns liquid flow, working volume, gross receiver volume and pump-cycle storage.
Inputs
Live results
- Liquid return 5.2631579 m³/h
- Working hold-up 0.87719298 m³
- Minimum gross receiver 1.754386 m³
- Pump-cycle liquid volume 0.26315789 m³
- Return flow 87.719298 L/min
Formula and method
Qv=m/ρ; Vworking=Qv×t; Vgross=Vworking×margin/usableFraction.
Worked example
5,000 kg/h condensate at 950 kg/m³ with 10 minutes hold-up requires about 0.88 m³ working liquid volume before allowances.
Engineering assumptions and limits
- Applies to vented liquid receivers; pressurized flash vessels require separate thermodynamic sizing.
- Check flash steam, pump NPSH, vent capacity, overflow and actual level-control bands.
Frequently asked questions
What does this Condensate Receiver Sizing Calculator calculate?
Size a vented condensate receiver from return mass flow, liquid density, desired hold-up time, usable level fraction and margin. Returns liquid flow, working volume, gross receiver volume and pump-cycle storage.
Is this a final equipment selection?
No. Use the result for engineering screening, then verify vendor data, controls, operating cases, codes and project design criteria.
Why does the calculator show intermediate values?
Intermediate values expose the governing load and assumptions, making bad units or unrealistic operating conditions easier to spot before selection.