Calculate the heat loss from pipes

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States)

OSTI ID:5734333

Konak, A R

Heat lost from piped fluids is energy wasted. Even a fluid-temperature drop of 1 C or less from the pipe's inlet to its outlet is a sign of heat loss. This raises energy costs because heat must usually be added back to the fluid later. If the pipe-wall temperature is not unduly high, convection can be assumed to be the main cause of heat loss. A simple method quantifies this heat loss. When applied successively to bare and insulated pipes, it shows the heat savings provided by insulation. In general, heat loss is determined by the properties of the fluids inside and outside of the pipe. However, when the temperature drop within the pipe (between its upstream and downstream ends) is small, and when the pipe is of metal or other material with high heat conductivity, the heat loss can be assumed to depend very strongly on the external conditions, and the engineer need focus only on the external flow. In this situation, the temperature of the pipe's outer wall is assumed to be the same as the bulk temperature of the fluid within the pipe.

• OSTI ID: 5734333
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States) Vol. 100:9; ISSN CHEEA3; ISSN 0009-2460
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY LOSSES
FLUID FLOW
HEAT LOSSES
LOSSES
PIPES
THERMAL INSULATION