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HPS explosion near Flat Iron Building

SlamDunk
SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,659
edited July 2018 in Strictly Steam
Hope no one was walking over it at the time.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/steam-pipe-explodes-in-flatiron-district-1532000869

Comments

  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,596
    No one was. I’ll bet the investigation leads to failed steam traps.
    Retired and loving it.
  • kevink1955
    kevink1955 Member Posts: 88
    We are 7 minutes into the 11pm news and the only thing they have covered is the steam pipe explosion and the deadly Asbestos it has spewed. I am waiting for the Attorney commercials to start "If you were in the area of the Flatiron district, call us" Thats what society has become.
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,596
    It’s not something to take lightly.
    Retired and loving it.
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    About a decade ago I was walking out of work for lunch and i saw people running around at the end of Dorchester Ave. A steam manhole cover had been blown off just as a car was passing over. The force lifted the car and deposited in on the sidewalk of the Summer St bridge.

    That bridge carries a lot of pedestrian traffic, it was lucky none was near when the explosion occurred. We were never told the cause of the explosion.
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • SlamDunk
    SlamDunk Member Posts: 1,659
    DanHolohan said:

    No one was. I’ll bet the investigation leads to failed steam traps.

    I wonder if they have routine trap inspections. A 20 inch pipe that runs horizontally for blocks would have lots of traps, wouldn't it?
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,596
    edited July 2018
    Yes.

    https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/the-37-million-steam-trap/
    Retired and loving it.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    What is the usual steam pressure in these pipes? Would the pipe failure be the result of water hammer?—NBC
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,596
    200 psi. Yes, water hammer.
    Retired and loving it.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
    I wonder if a microphone on the pipe could detect the beginnings of early steam trap failure, by an abnormal sound of the trap operation.—NBC
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,314
    nicholas bonham-carter said:

    I wonder if a microphone on the pipe could detect the beginnings of early steam trap failure, by an abnormal sound of the trap operation.—NBC

    Paging @Sailah .............
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    KC_Jones
  • Sailah
    Sailah Member Posts: 826
    Yeah its it's something we've discussed with them. Very difficult operating conditions as in the manhole is live flash steam, 100% humidity and elevated temps.

    That said I do have a solution and plan to have a prototype in the next month. 95% confident it will work.

    Having been onsite with them when they test, it is very labor intensive.

    I'm hoping what we come up with works and I think it will.
    Peter Owens
    SteamIQ
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,495
    @Sailah I worked with military electronics for years and am very familiar with harsh operating conditions. The electronics part of the package should either be humisealed or potted to withstand the humidity and condensing water. Be warned if you go with potting repairing or diagnosing a failed module becomes very difficult.
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • Sailah
    Sailah Member Posts: 826
    Thanks @BobC

    My solution I think gets around most of those restrictions but you're right about the potting. I have yet to start on it but have it all drawn out in my mind and in CAD. Using much of our SteamIQ solution which we are already testing successfully at 1000 psig on thermodynamic traps and no doubt that's what they have.

    It's always been on my mind to crack this problem but this recent situation in NYC has sped up the urgency.
    Peter Owens
    SteamIQ

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