Boiler‑Feed & Deaerator Pumps
Keep steam online with properly sized multistage boiler‑feed pumps, reliable condensate return, and chemical dosing for oxygen scavengers and pH control. We package Grundfos CR and Goulds e‑HM feeds with LMI/Walchem metering and Griswold end‑suction boosters—tuned for head, temperature, and NPSH.
Which Pumps Keep Your Boiler Fed?
| Requirement | Best Technology | Recommended Brands | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low/medium‑pressure boilers (≤150 PSI) | Vertical multistage in‑line feed | Grundfos CR | Small footprint; cartridge seal; optional VFD for turndown |
| High‑pressure feed (up to ~300 PSI) | Horizontal multistage | Goulds e‑HM | High‑temp bearings; steel base & guard; low NPSH first stage |
| Condensate return from flash tanks | Condensate/return pump package | Goulds, Grundfos | Vented receiver; high‑temp mechanical seal; duplex lead/lag |
| Make‑up water / DA transfer | Close‑coupled end‑suction | Griswold E‑Series | 316SS or bronze fitted; TEFC motor; easy service |
| Oxygen scavenger, sulfite, amines, pH | API‑675 diaphragm metering | LMI PD/TD, Walchem EWN | PVDF heads; PTFE diaphragms; back‑pressure/relief valves |
| Minimum‑flow protection | Recirc line or automatic minimum‑flow valve | — | Prevents overheating/cavitation at low load & startup |
Recommended Pumps (Placeholders)
Tip Include boiler pressure (PSI), required GPM, DA/receiver temperature, suction head, and available NPSH—your curve will land right the first time.
How We Engineer Boiler‑Feed Systems
- Head calc: Feet of head = (Boiler PSI × 2.31) + piping/friction + margin. We size for peak load and maintain a safety factor for control valves.
- NPSH discipline: verify NPSHa > NPSHr + 3–5 ft at operating temperature (hot DA water shrinks NPSHa fast).
- Materials & seals: 316SS wetted parts; SiC/Carbon or SiC/SiC seal faces; EPDM/Viton per chemistry.
- Minimum‑flow protection: automatic recirc or dedicated bypass line to the DA/receiver.
- Controls: duplex lead/lag, float or level transmitters, VFD with pressure setpoint or three‑element boiler control integration.
- Chemical feed: back‑pressure valves, pulsation dampeners, and calibration columns on metering sets.
Common Boiler‑Room Tasks & Fluids
- Boiler‑feed to shell or water‑tube boilers
- Condensate return/transfer
- Deaerator (DA) recirculation & makeup
- Blowdown heat‑recovery loops
- Softened & RO make‑up water
- Oxygen scavenger (sulfite) feed
- Amines/neutralizing amines
- pH adjust (caustic/acid)
- Anti‑foam & scale inhibitors
- Low‑temp startup & standby recirc
Protect Your Boiler—Spec the Right Feed Pump
Send boiler pressure, GPM, temperature, suction conditions, and area classification. We’ll quote a complete, code‑ready package.
Boiler‑Feed Pumping FAQs
How do you size a boiler‑feed pump?
We calculate head from boiler pressure in PSI (× 2.31 ft/PSI) plus friction and a safety margin. Then we verify NPSHa ≥ NPSHr + 3–5 ft at temperature and choose a curve point with reserve.
Why multistage instead of single‑stage?
Feed pumps see high head at moderate flow. Multistage builds deliver the pressure efficiently, keep motor size reasonable, and provide better control with VFDs.
How do you protect the pump at low load?
We add a minimum‑flow bypass (manual recirc or automatic valve) and interlocks with low‑level cutout to prevent overheating and cavitation during startup or turndown.
What materials/seals stand up to hot feed water?
316 SS wetted parts with SiC/Carbon or SiC/SiC seal faces and EPDM/Viton elastomers handle heat and treatment chemicals; we’ll confirm against your SDS and temperature.