SteamIQ
SteamIQSteam Trap Intelligence

Free Tool

Steam Loss Calculator

Calculate the financial impact of a failed steam trap. See how much energy and money a single failed trap costs your facility annually.

Steam Loss Calculator

Calculate steam losses using modified Grashof's equation
Config:
Boiler:%
$/therm
Steam Loss
112.7lb/hr
Energy
90,280BTU/hr
Therms/Year
7,908
Annual Cost
Fuel only$4,064.17
All-in$5,283.42
5/32"
1/16"
1/2"
Sample Trap Orifices:
Higher pressure = higher energy loss
psig
0300 psig
100%
0%100% (Fully Failed)
8,760 hr/yr
1 hr8,760 hr (24/7)

Calculation Breakdown(Boiler: 80% × Line: 93.75% = 75.0% eff.)

1. Steam Flow Rate
SL = K × π × (d/2)² × P^0.97 × LF
= 112.7 lb/hr
2. Steam Props @ 150 psig
h₃=338.3 h₅=1195.6
λ = 857.2 Btu/lb
3. Flash Steam
= (h₃ - 180.1) / 970.3
= 16.3% (18.4 lb/hr)
4. Loss Mechanisms
L₂: 20,625 (flash)
L₄: 24,146 (boiler)
L₅: 28,975 (latent)
5. Hourly Fuel Energy
= (L₂+L₅)/eff + L₄
= 90,280 BTU/hr
6. Annual Therms
= (BTU/hr × 8,760) / 100k
= 7,908 therms
7. Annual Cost
= 7,908.49 therms × $0.5139/therm
= $4,064.17/yr fuel only
× 1.30 loaded-cost multiplier
= $5,283.42/yr all-in

How It Works

Uses a modified Grashof's equation with steam system attributes and recovery options.

Orifice Size

The calculator opens at 150 psig, where the pre-filled 5/32" trap loses 21.67 therms/day. At the 145 psig measurement basis, the same trap calculates 20.96 therms/day, close to the measured 20.68.

Energy Calculation

Steam flow is calculated using modified Grashof's equation, then combined with ASME steam table data and system recovery factors.

Annual Cost

The selected gas price sets the fuel cost, then the 1.30 loaded-cost multiplier gives the all-in annual loss shown everywhere on this page.

Why Steam Trap Failures Matter

15–30%
Where no program exists, DOE puts the failed fraction at 15 to 30 percent after 3 to 5 years.
$5,283
all-in annual loss for the current 5/32" trap at the US average, based on 12 months reported in the current window.
20.68 therms/day
SteamIQ-measured average failed trap across 31,540 measured failed-trap-days. See the plantwide payback.

Find the Traps Costing Your Plant the Most

Start with the annual loss above to see what one failed trap costs. For a plantwide estimate, add your trap count and repair timing in the whitepaper, or ask us to review the savings opportunity with you.