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Steam velocity

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misterheat
misterheat Member Posts: 158
in Strictly Steam
Does reduction of pipe diameter have an affect on steam velocity ? I have a few radiators that branch off the 2 inch main with 1 inch pipe . thank

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,839
    Of course. For a given amount of steam, the smaller the diameter pipe will have a greater velocity. However, the smaller diameter pipe will also have more friction, so the amount of steam which can be run through a small pipe for a given pressure difference will be reduced.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,591
    The size of the branch piping to each radiator is based on the the heating capacity of the radiator. It also depends on the type of system you have (1 pipe or 2 pipe).

    Cant cheat on the pipe size (especially on 1 pipe systems) as the condensate flows counterflow to the steam.
    MilanD
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,083
    you got three radiators on a 1'' pipe??
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

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