Steam Pipes - Sizing

Calculate pressure drop and sizing for steam distribution pipes. Determines available pressure for distribution, major friction losses, minor losses in fittings, and equivalent pipe lengths.

Steam Pipe Sizing Calculator

The pressure available for distribution of steam is the pressure difference between the initial pressure at the boiler and the required final pressure at the steam consumer.

Available Pressure Drop: p = pj - pk

Total Pressure Drop: pt = pmajor + pminor

Calculator

Inputs

Initial Boiler Pressure (psi)

Final Required Pressure (psi)

Results

Available Pressure Drop-- psi

Calculator

Inputs

Steam Flow Rate (lb/h)

Pipe Inside Diameter (in)

Steam Density (lb/ft³)

Pipe Length (ft)

Results

Pressure Drop per 100 ft-- psig/100ft

Major Pressure Loss (Total Length)-- psig

Calculator

Inputs

Steam Flow Rate (lb/h)

Pipe Inside Diameter (in)

Steam Density (lb/ft³)

Results

Flow Velocity-- ft/s

Typical Steam Velocities

Exhaust steam: 20 to 30 m/s (70 - 100 ft/s)
Saturated steam: 30 to 40 m/s (100 - 130 ft/s)
Superheated steam: 40 to 60 m/s (130 - 200 ft/s)

Rule of Thumb

Total pressure drop is approximately 5-10% of initial pressure per 100 m of pipe.