Document gpbmgEB4kMq5o9eQj0bZDD7J
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CHAPTER 49
1959 Guide
Table 7 .... Viscosity Effect on Centrifugal Pump Characteristics
(Quatactic Vococty SSU*
Correction Focforr Putnp Head Pomp Capacity Pemp Efficiency
0 to 30 50 100 200
1.00 1.00 0.98 0.96
1.00 1.00 1.00 0.98
1.00 0.94 0.88 0-79
300
0.95
0.97
0.73
400
0.93
0.96
0.68
500
0.92
0.96
0.65
600 0.91 0.95 0.62
700
0.90
0.94
0.59
800
0.89
0.94
0.57
900
0.88
0.93
0.55
1000
0.87
0.92
0.53
* SSU Seybolt Seconds--UnhrexeeL
Table 8 .... Correction Factors for Pipe Size (For Laminar Flow N& < 2000)
Pipe Sire
Inodu Diameter
lnd>es
Feet
D,* ft*
5*4 X Hr* (See figvre 2) '
X
0.622 0.0518 7.18 X 10"*
8.13
y*
0.824 0.0687 2.23 X 10-`
2.62
i
1.049 0.0874 5.84 x ur
1.00
IX
1.380 0.115 1.75 X 10"
0.334
IX
1.610 0.134 3.26 X 10-*
0-179
2 2.067 0.172 8.75 X 10-4 . 0.0667
2X
2.469 0.206 1.81 X 10"*
0.0322
3
3.068 0.256 4.30 X 10"
0.0136
3X
3.548 0.296 7.68 X 10"*
0.00760
4
4.026 0.335 1.26 X I0"*
0.00462
5
5.047 0.421 3.14 X to-1
0.00186
6
6.065 0.505 6.50 X 10-*
0.000898
commercial or private systems (where A, is 0.5 or 0) it may
go to 750 SSU.
Efficiency loss is not important, but head and capacity
losses are. Reduced flow means a longer period of time for
the system to become operative from a- cold start.
Tim viscosity limit is controlled by means of a low-limit
thermostat. For example, if it is desired to hold the viscosity
of the solution to less than 200 SSU (43.1 ft sq per sec), then
for the oil shown in Table 5, the low-limit control would be
set at 0 F.
For grafrfl
a quick method of determining the
fluid friction for a 1-in. IPS pipe circuit is given in Fig. 2.
- The required pump capacity, in pounds of fluid per hour is
given by the equation:
Agi C
CmAi
(ID
when
C = pump capacity, pounds per hour. Ap " area of slab, square feet. q, -- total heat requirement (slab output, q., plus back and
edge losses) Btu per (hour) (square foot). Cm " specific heat at temperature t, Btu per (pound)
(Fahrenheit degree). At " temperature drop through circuit, Fahrenheit degrees.
For a temperature drop ofAf ** 20 F, Equation 11 becomes
a--^~ 160um*
(12)
where
O -- gallons per minute. uu " mean specific weight at temperature im , pounds per
cubic foot.
An approximate solution for systems using pipe rises other than 1-in. IPS can be obtained by using Table 8 or Fig. 3. Table 8 is for use when the flow is in the laminar zone. Fig. 3 is for flow in the turbulent sone. For flows where Reynolds
number fall* between 2000 and 3000, no reliable prediction for pressure loss can be made. It is generally safe.to assume the flow to be increased to a Reynolds number of 3000 with the pressure loss estimated at that flow rate.
Figure 2 is based on a pipe size of 1 in. IPS. If another pipe size is used and the flow is laminar, the correction factor K from Table 8 can be used. For example, assume a viscosity of 300 SSU, a flow of 5 gpm, and a K-in. IPS pipe. Fig. 2 shows that for 1-in. IPS, friction loss would be 15.50 ft/100 ft. Table 8 gives K = 2.62 for %-in. pipe; therefore, friction lorn, would be 15.5 X 2.62 = 40.6 ft/100 ft.
If the flow is in the transition zone or is turbulent, then Fig. 5 of Chapter 28 can be used in conjunction with Fig. 3. For example, assume a viscosity of 0.0001 sq ft/sec (56.5 SSU), a flow rate of 14 gpm and a lX-in- IPS pipe size.
(for Mg. > 3000) (Acsod oa derfe e'**0 in Reference 6) fig. 3 .... Friction Correction Factor for Viscosity
Snow Melting
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Fig. 5, Chapter 28, shows a head loss for water to be 190 miknehes per foot or 1.58 ft/100 ft. Fig. 3 gives a correction factor K of 1.75 for a viscosity of 0.0001 sq ft/sec; henoe, the pressure loss is 1.58 X 1.75 = 2.77 ft/100 ft.
INSTALLATION
There are certain precautions that must be taken during installation. They concern internal corrosion, flammability, toxicity, cleaning, joints, and hookup. A comprehensive discussion of these precautions may be found in Reference 5.
Safety
Since ethylene glycol and petroleum distillates are slightly
toxic, the system should be installed and rnninfaurwA in
dependently. There should be no permanent connection
between the snow-melting system and the drinking water
supply.
Ethylene glycol is not considered flammable. In fact,
aqueous solutions of less than 60 percent glycol are used for
fire sprinkler systems. These solutions do not freeze, and they
are effective fire extinguishing agents.
Petroleum distillates suitable for fluids in snow-melting
systems are classified as non-flammable, but have fire points
between 300 and 350 F. When using fluids of this type, care
should be taken to collect any oil dripping from the
on
the pump. It is good practice also to provide some barrier
between the oil lines and the boiler so that in the event of a
leak, a flash back from the boiler will not ignite, the oiL
There are other non-flammable fluids, such as those used
in some transformers, that can be used as the antifreeze.
These fluids are three or four timea as expensive as the
glycols or oils, but combine the fire protection of the glycols
with the corrosion protection of the oils.
Internal Corrosion
Ethylene glycol solutions tend to become corrosive in service; therefore, rust inhibitors are generally included. Even with an inhibitor, the solution should be tested annually to determine any change in aridity. If the test indicates that tile inhibitor has been exhausted, the entire system should be drained and a flesh solution installed.
To increase the life of the inhibitor, the heat exchanger surfaces should be kept below 285 F which corresponds to about 40 prig steam. Temperatures above 300 F accelerate the deterioration of the inhibitors.
Slab Construction
It has been found satisfactory to use K-in pipe or tube on 12-in. centers as a standard coil. If pumping loads re quire a reduction in friction the pipe size may be increased to 1-in., but the slab depth must be increased accordingly.
The piping should be supported in such a manner that there is a minimum of 2 in. of concrete above and below the pipe. This requires a 5-in. slab for 5i-in. pipe and 5%-in. for 1-in. pipe.
If an insulating material is used beneath the structural slab, it is generally good practice to provide a moisture barrier between the insulation mid the fill. A roofing material (such as a 55 lb felt) is often used as a moisture barrier. The joints in the barrier should be mopped, and the fill smooth enough so that there will be no holes or gaps for moisture transfer. Also, the. edges of the barrier ahnnld be flashed to the surface of the slab so that the nrlp are sealed
If the pipe must pass through an expansion joint, a pro tective coating should be applied to the pipe for a foot or two on both rides of the joint.
If the pipe is kept dry at all times in both summer and winter, no external corrosion problems will occur.
Thermal Stresses
This problem is discussed in Reference 7. In general, there will be no ill effects from the thermal stresses if these rules of installation and operation are followed:
1. Keep the temperature difference between the fluid and the slab surface to a minimum by.: a. Close pipe spacing (see Fig. 1). b. Low temperature drop in fluid, At < 20 F deg. c. Continuous operation (if economically feasible).
2. Keep pipe near surface to obtain about 2 in. cover. 3. Use reinforcing steel designed for thermal stress if high
structural loads are expected (such as on highways).
Control
Normally snow-melting systems are manually controlled. They are started by an operator when snow is anticipated or is falling, and they are shut off when the snow bag -stopped falling and the area is clear. This is strictly two-position control either 0 or 100 percent operation. One version, with some degree of control, provides a surface-temperature control. The system is started manually, as before, but a thermostat controls the heat input to maintain a surface temperature of approximately 33 F.
There are several fully automatic control systems, how ever. In general, these systems provide some means of detecting precipitation and simultaneously waging air temperature. One method is to set a thermostat for a 35 F air temperature and arrange to have the signal from this thermostat activate a heating element on a receptacle. This warm receptacle collects tire precipitation, and melts it if it is frozen. The water then runs through a tube and activates another circuit. This second circuit can be used to start the snow-melting system. Another thermostat can be used to control tiie surface temperature of the snow-melting slab.
For baric information on control equipment, such as thermostats, and for fundamentals of control circuits, see Chapter 43.
Testing
After installation and before pouring concrete, all piping should be tested to about 100 psig. This pressure should be maintained until all welds and connections have been checked for leaks. If an oil is used as an antifreeze, the test should be performed with air or some gas (only 50 pri required with an air test) but not with water. The danger of using water is that the pipe may not be thoroughly dried when the oil is intro duced. The water will tend to collect, and when the tempera ture falls below 32 F the collected water may freeze and cause damage.
Draining
Proper drainage is necessary for both the slab surface and the coil.
The slab must be sloped so that the water from the melted snow can run off. Puddles are objectionable on ridewalkB or drives. They cause splashing, and they retard heat flow from the embedded pipes.
The pipes must be placed so that they may be drained. If the antifreeze becomes corrosive it must be drained. It is not