MIUS technology evaluation: thermal energy conveyance. [Conduits]

Technical Report · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7351709

Meador, J T

Thermal energy produced by a MIUS can be distributed at moderate temperatures, and low-pressure steam or water are most adaptable as energy-transfer media. This report discusses the types, cost, and performance of several types of conduits for thermal energy conveyance. Conduits applicable to water conveyance of thermal energy produced in a MIUS are evaluated from data on characteristics and economic factors related to district heating and cooling systems for housing developments. Materials of construction are considered according to the demands of a conduit: (1) the pipe must meet the requirements for conveyance of the heat-transfer media, (2) the insulation must limit thermal losses, and (3) some form of encasement must protect the pipe and insulation from both external loads and the underground environment. Factors such as heat-transfer characteristics, thermal expansion, and creep strength at operating temperature must be considered in the selection of conduit materials. Commercially available prefabricated conduits with or without insulation are considered with respect to their ability to meet energy conveyance requirements at installed costs that are based on present-day economics. Illustrative analyses that include most of the design parameters involved in thermal conveyance are presented to put into perspective the most important features of such systems. Another factor that may influence the selection is the installation labor costs. Prefabricated conduits made of mild steel with corrosion-resistant coatings or of fiberglass-reinforced epoxy seem most likely to meet the requirements of a MIUS for low-temperature hot-water (LTHW) service. Conduits made of asbestos-cement or a thermoplastic such as polyvinyl chloride are considered less expensive and adequate for chilled-water service. (auth, abstract modified)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 7351709
• Report Number(s): ORNL/HUD/MIUS-22
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290800* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Heat Utilization-- (1980-)
42 ENGINEERING
420400 -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
AIR CONDITIONING
ASBESTOS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CORROSION PROTECTION
COST
DISTRICT HEATING
ECONOMICS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EPOXIDES
FABRICATION
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MIUS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIPES
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
PVC
SPACE HEATING
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
TUBES
WATER