Condensate is hot, already treated and nearly free of hardness, so every pound returned saves fuel, water and chemicals compared with cold makeup. It flows back by gravity or pressure to a receiver, then a pump sends it to the feed tank or deaerator. Return lines corrode from carbonic acid formed by carbon dioxide in the steam, which is why plants dose neutralizing amines and watch condensate pH.
Condensate return dropped to 40 percent this month, somebody's dumping it to drain or we've got a busted line under the slab.
Percent condensate return is one of the first numbers a good water treatment rep asks for.
Also heard as
- returns
- condensate return system
Related terms
Makeup water
Fresh water added to a boiler system to replace water lost to leaks, blowdown, venting and unreturned condensate.
Feedwater
The water pumped into a steam boiler to replace the water boiled off, a blend of condensate and treated makeup.
Steam trap
An automatic valve that drains condensate and air out of steam lines and equipment while holding steam back.
Wet return
A steam system return line run below the boiler water line, so it always stays full of water.