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Steam Pipes - Sizing

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Steam Pipes - Sizing

Pipe sizing steam systems - major and minor loss in steam distribution systems
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The pressure drop available for the distribution of steam is the pressure difference between the initial pressure at the boiler, and the required final pressure at the end of the line - at the steam consumer. The pressure difference available for the distribution system can be expressed as: p = pj - pk where p = available pressure drop (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) pj = initial or boiler pressure (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) pk = final pressure (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) The total pressure drop in the distribution system is a result of friction (major loss) and pressure loss in fittings (minor loss), and can be expressed as: pt = pmajor + pminor (2) (1)

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Temperature

where pt = total pressure drop in the system (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) pmajor = pressure loss in pipes due to friction (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) pminor = pressure loss in fittings (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2))
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Friction - Major Loss

Major loss - the pressure loss due to friction in a low pressure steam distribution system can be expressed as: pmajor = pa l where (3)

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Length

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m km in ft yards miles nautical miles

pa = pipe friction resistance per unit lengthof pipe (Pa/m (N/m2/m), psi/ft (lb/ft2/ft)) l = length of pipe (ft, m) The pressure drop in a steam pipe can be expressed as pa-100 = 0.01306 q2 (1 + 3.6/di) / (3600 di5) where pa-100 = pressure drop per 100 ft pipe (psig / 100 ft) q = steam flow rate (lb/h) di = inside diameter of pipe (in) = density of steam (lb/ft3) (3b)

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Volume

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m3 liters in3 ft3 us gal

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Velocity

Loss due to Fittings - Minor loss

Loss due to fittings - minor loss can be expressed as: pminor = 1/2 v2 (4)

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m/s

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km/h ft/min ft/s mph knots

Steam Pipes - Sizing

where = minor loss coefficient pminor = pressure loss (Pa (N/m2), psi (lb/ft2)) = density (kg/m3, slugs/ft3) v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s)

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Pressure

1.0
Pa (N/m 2 ) b ar mm H2 O kg/cm 2 psi inches H2 O

Equivalent length
Minor loss - loss due to fittings can also be expressed as equivalent length: pminor = pa le or pt = pa(l + le) where le = equivalent length of the fittings (ft, m) (6) (5)

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Flow

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m 3 /s m 3 /h US gpm cfm

As a rule of thumb the total pressure drop is about 5 -10% of initial pressure per 100 m pipe.

Typical Steam Velocities

Exhaust steam - 20 to 30 m/s (70 - 100 ft/s) Saturated steam - 30 to 40 m/s (100 - 130 ft/s) Superheated steam - 40 to 60 m/s (130 -200 ft/s)
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Related Topics
Pipe Sizing - Sizing steam and condensate pipes - pressure loss, recommended velocity, capacity and more Steam and Condensate - Steam & condensate properties - capacities, pipe sizing, systems configuration and more

Related Documents
Plant Engineering Recommended Velocities in Steam Systems - The steam velocity in a steam distribution system should be within certain limits to avoid excessive wear and tear Sizing Steam Pipes (kg/h) - Steam is a compressible gas where the mass flow capacity of the pipe lines depends on the steam pressure. This table, where pressure is in bar, velocity in m/s and capacity in kg/h, is suitable for sizing steam pipes

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