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Engineering ToolBox > Feeding Pumps - the Suction Lift in Steam Systems
To avoid cavitations in a feeding pump the suction lift and pressure head should not exceed the limits below:
| Temperature of Feeding Water | Max Suction Lift | Minimum Pressure Head | |||
| (oC) | (oF) | (m) | (ft) | (m) | (ft) |
| 55 | 130 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 65 | 150 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 77 | 170 | 0.6 | 2 | ||
| 80 | 175 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 87 | 190 | 1.5 | 5 | ||
| 95 | 200 | 3.5 | 10 | ||
| 99 | 210 | 4.5 | 15 | ||
| 100 | 212 | 5 | 17 | ||
For water with temperature above 80oC (175oF) its necessary with a positive pressure head - and the pump is located in an elevation below the water or condensate receiver.
In steam distribution systems its common with open vented condensate receivers with temperatures close to 100oC (212oF). This is true especially in systems where most of the steam consumed is returned as hot condensate, but also in systems where the make up water is heated to reduce the amount of air dissolved in the water.