Piping design

Flow Rate Calculation

Q = p x Flow rate x Cp x T
Btu/h p = 8.34 Ib/gallon at 54 F
GPM = Cp = 1.0 Btu/Ib.F
500 T
500 = 8.34 x 1.0 x 60
T = 10 to 12 F

Pipe Sizing Calculation

Closed-loop hydronic system piping is generally sized below certain upper

limits such as a velocity limit of 4 fps for 2 in. pipe and under
Seamless Black Steel Sch 40
and a pressure drop limit of 4 ft per 100 ft
for piping over 2 in. in diameter. This is to keep piping noise at a low level.
By
1. GPM
2. Velocity FPS
3. Pressure drop
Get
1. Pipe Size
2. Head loss
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Piping design
 Piping design
Pressure Drop Calculation

The pressure drop should be calculated on the worst path

Pressure Drop = Drop in pipe + Drop in fittings + Drop in equipment such as chiller, FCU or AHU

1. Pressure drop in pipe for worst path

P = pressure drop in each section x Section length

2. Pressure drop in fitting for worst path by the following eq., from charts or from program such as Pipe Flow Wizard

P = K p V2/ 2g K factor from tables

3. Pressure drop in equipment from catalogues
Piping design
Piping design
Piping design
 Piping design
Partial Load Control Flow Control
3-Way Valve Single piping system
Are commonly found in constant flow pumping systems
Direct Return Piping
2-Way Valve Reverse Return Piping

Are commonly found in variable flow pumping systems

Chiller AHU or FCU

2 way valve

2 way valve T
Constant speed
pump
P
Balancing
valve
Variable speed
pump

Note:
If the majority of the system FCU 3-way valve is preferred
If the majority of the system AHU 2-way valve is preferred
 Piping design
Expansion Tanks
An expansion tank is used to maintain system pressure by allowing the water to expand when the water
temperature increases, and by providing a water to the system due to leakage water
Types of Expansion Tank
1. Open Expansion Tanks
Are open to the atmosphere and are located on the suction side of the pump above
the highest unit in the system
The following procedure may be used to determine the capacity of an open expansion tank
a. Calculate the volume of water in the piping
b. Calculate the volume of water in the coils and heat exchangers.
c. Determine the percent increase in the volume of water due to operating at increased
d. Expansion tank capacity is equal to the percent increase times
the total volume of water in the system.
 Piping design
Expansion Tanks
2. Closed Expansion Tanks
Are used for small or residential hot water heating systems and for high temperature
Water systems.
Closed expansion tanks are not open to the atmosphere and operate above atmospheric pressure
 Pumps

Positive Displacement Pumps (PDP) Dynamic Head Pumps (DHP)

Reciprocating Rotary Centrifugal Axial