Updated:
01-30-2017
This calculator estimates the performance of an insulated horizontal piping system given the operating temperature, the ambient temperature, and other details about the system.
Instructions
- Line 1. Enter the length of the piping run in linear feet
- Line 2. Select Nominal Pipe Size, NPS
- Line 3. Enter average operating (process) temperature for the period of operation
- Line 4. Enter average ambient temperature for the period of operation
- Line 5. Enter average wind speed for the period of operation (if unknown, use 1 mph for indoor, 8 mph for outdoor)
- Line 6. Select an insulation material. Note: Calculator does not screen for material temperature limitations - Use caution.
- Line 7. Enter a cost multiplier to modify the default installed costs (e.g. enter 1.10 to increase costs 10%)
- Line 8. Enter the effective emittance of the exterior surface (see MIDG>Design Data>Table 1 for guidance)
- Line 9. Enter the expected life of the insulation system in years
- Line 10. Enter the number of hours per year of system operation (e.g. 8760 for full year operation)
- Line 11. Enter the conversion efficiency of the system in percent
Typical conversion efficiencies for various systems are:Fossil fuel boilers (Non-condensing) 65 - 85% Fossil fuel boilers (Condensing) 80 - 95% Electric resistance boilers 92 - 96% Electrically operated chillers 300 - 700% Absorption chillers 60 - 100% - Line 12. Select the fuel used
- Line 13. Enter cost of fuel if known or use default value
Assumptions
- One dimensional, steady state heat transfer
- Base structure is a horizontal steel pipe
- Thermal conductivity based on ASTM Specification Values
- Installed costs of insulation are from industry sources and represent single layer installations
- Installed costs include aluminum jacketing but do not include vapor retarders or vapor sealing
- Fuel content, emissions and typical fuel costs are from U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Emissions are in Metric Tonne per year (MT/yr)and are are assumed to be at the facility (except for electricity which are are at the power plant)
Note: NA means Not Available