Steam Engineering Suite is a free collection of online engineering calculators for steam system designers and plant engineers.

• Steam Trap Sizing — Size and select steam traps for heat exchangers, heating coils, and tracer lines based on condensate load, operating pressure, and safety factor.
• Pressure Powered Pump Sizing — Select pressure-powered condensate pumps (no electricity required) based on condensate flow, motive steam pressure, and system back pressure.
• Condensate Pump Selection — Size electric condensate return pumps by matching flow rate and total dynamic head to available pump curves.
• Heat Exchanger Stall Analysis — Determine whether a steam-heated heat exchanger will stall at partial load, and whether a condensate pump is required to prevent flooding and water hammer.

All tools run in the browser — no software installation or login required for the first two uses.

Steam Engineering Suite

Steam Engineering Suite is a free collection of online calculators for steam system engineers. All tools run in the browser and require no software installation.

Steam Trap Sizer — SNAP-5

The Steam Trap Sizer helps engineers select the correct steam trap for heating coils, heat exchangers, tracer lines, and process equipment. Enter the operating steam pressure (PSIG), condensate load (lb/hr), and a safety factor. The tool applies the SNAP-5 selection methodology to recommend the appropriate trap orifice size and trap type (thermostatic, inverted bucket, float and thermostatic). It also flags oversizing risks that lead to premature trap failure.

Condensate Pump Selector — Pivotrol

The Pivotrol Pump Selector sizes electric condensate return pumps. Input the required flow rate, the total dynamic head (lift plus friction losses), and condensate temperature. The tool selects a matching Pivotrol pump model, plots the system curve against the pump curve, and checks for net positive suction head (NPSH) margin to avoid cavitation.

Condensate Pump Selector — PPEC

The PPEC Pump Selector sizes pressure-powered condensate pumps — mechanical pumps driven by steam or compressed air pressure rather than electricity. These are used in hazardous areas or where electrical installation is impractical. Enter condensate flow, available motive pressure, and back pressure to select the correct PPEC model.

Heat Exchanger Stall Analysis

The HX Stall Analysis tool determines whether a steam-heated heat exchanger will experience stall — a condition where the steam control valve closes before all condensate drains, causing flooding and water hammer. The tool uses IAPWS-IF97 steam property tables to calculate the stall point at partial load. If stall occurs, it calculates the differential pressure across the trap and advises whether a condensate pump is required to lift condensate out of the heat exchanger.

Who is this for?

These tools are designed for mechanical engineers, plant engineers, and HVAC designers who work with steam distribution systems, condensate return systems, and steam-heated process equipment. They are particularly useful for specifying steam traps, sizing condensate pumps, and diagnosing heat exchanger performance problems.