Reasonable Velocities for Fluid Flow through Pipes:FLUID PRESSURE PSI

(GAGE)SERVICE VELOCITIES - FPM

Saturated Steam 0 – 15 Heating mains 4,000 – 6,000

Saturated Steam 50 – up Miscellaneous 6,000 – 8,000

Superheated Steam 200 – up Turbine and Boiler Leads

10,000 – 15,000

https://rcwapp.xyleminc.com/software/HSapps/steampipes/pipe3.htm

Pipe Sizing Tables

The following table is expressed as imperial values. To view this page in SI metric units, click here. Steam Pipe Capacity at 30 psig - Schedule 40 Pipe

Pipe Size Pressure drop per 100 ft of pipe length   

(IN) 1/8 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 2 1/2 3/4 1

1 1/4 1 1/2

2   2 1/2

3 3 1/2

4 5 6 8

10 12

7 16 32 70

110 223 368 675 990

1,420 2,625 4,315 9,000 16,400 26,350

10 22 45 99

156 316 520 953

1,405 2,020 3,720 6,100 12,700 23,200 37,250

14 32 64

142 220 446 735

1,340 2,010 2,850 5,260 8,650 18,000 33,300 52,500

17 39 79

174 270 546 900

1,652 2,470 3,490 6,450 10,600 22,000 40,250 64,500

19 45 91

202 312 630

1,040 1,905 2,850 4,025 7,450 12,200 25,420 46,500 74,500

28 64

129 283 440 892

1,472 2,690 4,020 5,700 10,550 17,300 36,000 65,750

105,500

Click on the red dots for more information.

      Above      

Velocities Less Than

Violet Yellow Blue Red

Green

6,000 fpm 8,000 fpm 10,000 fpm 12,000 fpm 15,000 fpm

Each of these tables lists pipe capacity at specific supply pressures.

The flow rate is read at the intersection of the size and pressure drop.

The color coding on the chart provides information on the flow velocity within the pipe at the rated flow. All velocities in any colored area are less than the maximum listed for the color. The pressure drop per 100 ft of pipe length is listed across the top row.

Various pipe diameters (for schedule 40 pipe) are listed down the left column.

The pressure drop per 100 ft of pipe lengthis listed across the top row.

http://www.armstronginternational.com/armstrong-steam-university-pipe-sizing-tables

http://www.armstronginternational.com/armstrong-steam-university-pipe-sizing-tables

Steam PipingHow do I size pipe for Saturated Steam ? faq378-152Posted: 14 Nov 01 (Edited 15 Feb 03)

Time after time, the question seems to come up.... How does someone select pipe sizes for

delivery of saturated steam ?

Well, the most widely used method is that contained in the Crane Technical Paper No. 410; "Flow of Fluids through Valves, Fittings and Pipe"

Under the section titled "Velocity of Compressible Fluids in Pipe" (page 3-14) There is a criteria for reasonable superheated and saturated steam velocities in piping.

These are:

     Saturated Steam  0 - 25 psig......4000-6000 fpm     Saturated steam  25 psig and up...6000-10000 fpm     Superheated Steam  200 psig and up..7000-20000 fpm

The equation used to determine velocity is:

     V = (3.06)W(sp. vol)/ ID^2

where V is velocity in fpm      W is massflow in lbs/hr      sp. vol is the specific volume of the steam      ID is the internal diameter of the pipe

Crane also give a couple of nomographs that allow the novice to "graph his way" to a solution. (I have always hated nomographs.... They are an instrument of the devil)

Example:

What size pipe do I need for 20,000 lbs/hr of 100 psig saturated steam ?

Using a sp. vol of 3.875 and trying various pipe sizes we find out that a 6 inch, sch 40 pipe (ID=6.065) gives us a velocity of aprox 6457 fpm and is the appropriate size for this service.

(It should be also pointed out, that selected steam piping systems may require sizing by another criteria. The systems that typically requires a close evaluation are the "Main Steam" and "Hot Reheat Steam" to and from steam turbines.)

(These systems typically transport superheated steam and are sized based on the economic value of the pressure drop. Other criteria imposed on the design of the system is 2-5% maximum pressure drop between the boier steam drum and the turbine inlet valve.)

The superb Crane manual can be purchased for about $US30 bucks.... Any engineering book in a twenty sixth printing is wise investment

http://www.sugartech.co.za/piping/pipesizing/steam.php

Pipe Sizing

Use these pages to calculate pipe sizes and pressure drops due to friction in the pipes, for the following products:

Water

Steam Factory Sugar Solution

The pressure drop is calculated from the following formula

hf = 4·f·le / d · v2/ 2·g

where

hf = head loss due to friction f = friction factor calculated from the formula below le = equivalent pipe lenth taking into account valves and fittings d = bore of pipe v = average flow flow velocity g = acceleration due to gravity 9.81m/s2

f = 0.001375 · (1 + (20000· k / d + 106 / Re)1/3)

where

k = relative roughnessof the bore of the pipe Re = Reynolds Number = ρ·v·d / μ ρ = density μ = dynamic viscosity

http://www.steamline.com/steam_pathshala/economics.html#ec1