Boiler Calculator

Determines the amount of fuel energy required to produce steam with

specified properties at a given flow rate using general boiler operational
characteristics.


Deaerator Pressure*
1.4
psig
Combustion
Efficiency*
81.1
%
Blowdown Rate*
3.1
%
Steam
Pressure*
309
psig
Saturated Quality
*
1

Steam Mass Flow *
15.9
klb/hr
* Required
Enter
[reset]
Allowed Range / Limits
Minimum

Maximum

**Example: Saturated Steam
Examples:
Mouse
Over

Calculation Details and Assumptions below
Steam Mass Flow 15.9 klb/hr
Pressure
309.0
psig
Sp.
Enthalpy
1,204.0
btu/lbm
Temperature 218.0 C Sp. Entropy 6.299 kJ/kg/K
Saturated 1.00
Energy
Flow
20,197







Boiler
Blowdown Rate 3.1 %
Boiler Energy 17,214
Combustion Efficiency 81.1 %
Fuel Energy 21,225
Blowdown Mass Flow 0.5 klb/hr
Pressure 309.0 psig Sp. Enthalpy 401.7 btu/lbm
Temperature 218.0 C Sp. Entropy 2.499 kJ/kg/K
Saturated 0.00 Energy Flow 216
Feedwater Mass Flow 16.4 klb/hr
Pressure 1.4 psig Sp. Enthalpy 184.8 btu/lbm
Temperature 102.5 C Sp. Entropy 1.336 kJ/kg/K
Saturated 0.00 Energy Flow 3,199


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 = 309.0 psig
Quality = 1.00
[Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 1,204.0 btu/lbm
Steam Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Steam Energy Flow = 20,197 = 1,204.0 btu/lbm * 15.9 klb/hr ]

Step 2: Determine Feedwater Properties and Mass Flow
The feedwater flow rate can be calculated from steam mass flow and blowdown rate:
1. Blowdown Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate
2. Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow - Blowdown Mass Flow
3. Steam Mass Flow = Feedwater Mass Flow - Feedwater Mass Flow * Blowdown Rate
4. Feedwater Mass Flow = Steam Mass Flow / [ 1 - Blowdown Rate ]
[ Feedwater Mass Flow = 16.4 klb/hr = 15.9 klb/hr / ( 1 - 0.031 ) ]
Using the Steam Property Calculator, properties are determined using Deaerator Pressure and Quality = 0
(Saturated Liquid). The Specific Enthalpy is then multiplied by the Mass Flow to get the Energy Flow:
Pressure = 1.4 psig
Quality = 0.00
[Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 184.8 btu/lbm
Feedwater Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Feedwater Energy Flow = 3,199 = 184.8 btu/lbm * 16.4 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 = 0.5 klb/hr = 16.4 klb/hr * 0.031 ]
Using the Steam Property Calculator, properties are determined using Steam Pressure and Quality = 0
(Saturated Liquid). The Specific Enthalpy is then multiplied by the Mass Flow to get the Energy Flow:
Pressure = 309.0 psig
Quality = 0.00
[Steam Property Calculator] => Specific Enthalpy = 401.7 btu/lbm
Blowdown Energy Flow = Specific Enthalpy * Mass Flow
[ Blowdown Energy Flow = 216 = 401.7 btu/lbm * 0.5 klb/hr ]

Step 4: Determine Boiler Energy
Boiler Energy = Steam Energy Flow + Blowdown Energy Flow - Feedwater Energy Flow
[ Boiler Energy (Flow) = 17,214 = 20,197 + 216 - 3,199 ]
Step 5: Determine Fuel Energy
Fuel Energy = Boiler Energy / Combustion Efficiency
[ Fuel Energy = 21,225 = 17,214 / 0.811 ]

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.