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550
CHAPTER 23
1954 Guide
amount of heat required to maintain the common equivalent temperature
is of the order of 7 percent. Figs. .2 and 3 show results obtained in cold room tests in which the
radiators were continuously filled with steam at 215 F. Under these conditions of operation, air temperature gradients are likely to be exag gerated as compared with those encountered with the intermittent opera
tion usually obtained in actual practice. The following statements applying to the use of radiators are based on
experience and test results:13
1. The heating effect of a radiator cannot be judged solely by the amount of steam condensed within the radiator.
5.91 ib convector Ha 1 6,'l7 tb convector No. 22 &20 lb convector Na 6 6l32 lb rPtubo/adietor ,, !lTtn 8 9 fo
[Equivalent net steam condensed, tb pet hottf
Temperature m deg f
Position No. 3
Position No. 1
nH 3tr level EquN
69.4 67.8 1.6 69.9 1 Aft 7 *1.7
68.7 67.6 *U 67.9 67.9 0.0 68.2 664
Radiators and Convectors
551
of air venting periods.
valves
may
be
used
to
reduce
the
length
of
the
venting
ENCLOSED RADIATORS
resmci tne air flow, aimimsh the radiation and, when properly designed, improve the heat distribution within the heated space.
Investigations13 indicate that in the design of the enclosure three things should be considered:
produce greater heating comfort and lowe- r--e--d c-evi*lvin.fgviitcemuipceikrbautuiirigesu.ne level to ing2p. eTrhfoermleasnsecnee. d steam consumption may not materially change the radiator heat
3. The enclosed radiator may inadequately heat the space.
A comparison between a bare or exposed radiator (A) and the same radi-
HEIGHT ABOVE FLOOR IN FEET
Fig. 3. Temperature Gradients and Equivalent Temperatures for Radiator and Convectors with Common Equivalent Temperature
2. Smaller floor-to-ceiling temperature differentials can be maintained with long, low, thin, direct radiators, than can be maintained with high, direct radiators.
3. The larger portion of the floor-to-ceiling temperature differential in a room of average ceiling height heated with direct radiators occurs between the floor and the
bre4a.thTihneg cleovmelf.ort level (approximately 2 ft-6 in. above floor) is below the breathing line level (approximately 5 ft-0 in. above floor), and temperatures taken at the breath ing line may not be indicative of the actual heating effect of a radiator in the room. The comfort-indicating temperature should be taken below the breathing line level.
5. High column radiators placed at the sides of window openings do not produce as comfortable heating effects as long, low, direct radiators placed beneath windows.
HEATING THE RADIATOR AND CONVECTOR
The maximum condensation occurs in a heating unit when the steam is first turned on. Tests1' on an old-style column-type cast-iron radiator indicated that in the first 10 min the condensation rate reached a peak of 0.95 lb per sq ft of radiation per hour and 10 to 15 min later dropped to a rate of 0.24 lb. In one-pipe gravity systems the rate of steam supply to the heating unit, while heating up, is frequently retarded by controlled elimination of air through air valves or traps. In two-pipe systems auto matic control valves may also retard the supply of steam. Vacuum types
(C), aWnidenwaithwaeac-luoethsigcnoevaere(nDc)lowsuilrleill(uBs)t,rawteiththea rpeolaotrilvye-dheesaigtninegdcehnacralocstuerre istics. In Fig. 4 the curve (B) reveals that the enclosed radiator used less steam than the exposed radiator, but gave a satisfactory heating perform
ance. A well-designed shield placed over a radiator gives about the same result. Curve (C) shows the unsatisfactory effects produced by improperlydesigned enclosures. Curve (D) shows that the effect of a cloth cover
extending downward 6 in. from the top of the radiator was to make the Performance unsatisfactory and inadequate.
Some commercial enclosures and shields for use on direct radiators are
equipped with water pans for the purpose of adding moisture to the air m the room. Tests20 show that an average evaporative rate of about 0-235 lb per square foot of water surface per hour may be obtained from
such pans, when a radiator is steam heated and the relative humidity in the room is between 25 and 40 percent. This source of supply of moisture
a*one is not adequate to maintain a relative humidity above 25 percent on a *ero d&3`