Steam Line Regulations

[SiPaul]

I am a bit out of my area but I am trying to locate the codes or regulations that would typically govern steam transmission lines. I am referring to the large transmission lines found typically in city streets.

Thanks

 

[TBP]

The ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code has a specific section on the requirements for district heating piping.

 

[MJCronin]

SIPaul,

I suggest that you visit some of the websites that discuss thee design, maintenance and operation of these systems.

If you use google, search with the terms "district heating" together with "steam"

There are some excellent articles about steam piping accidents and the hazards of condensate "waterhammer" on this website:

http://www.kirsner.org/

Let us know more details about what you are looking for.....


MJC

 

[SiPaul]

Thanks MJC

The issue came up because the steam lines appear to be "melting" the asphalt in somme city streets. The temperature of the street rises to over 100 degrees. The steam company belives that the insulation is getting soaked and is ineffective. I was curious to see what types of regulations surround steam lines to find out what the requirements are for insulation. It would seem that they could anticipate water in the subsurface. Especially near a tidal basin.

SiPaul

 

[MJCronin]

SiPaul,

The ASME codes regarding piping valves, tanks and pressure vessels are concerned with proper design, construction inspection and testing. They do not address insulation....which is an energy conservation concern of the owner.

"Soaked" or missing insulation is a money burner....a competent managment organization recognizes this immediately.

However, in todays world of hyperactive MBAs who are hell-bent on quarterly profits, effective steam piping insualtion is not one of their concerns.....it's for the little people to worry about.

How was your system installed ? Was it direct burial or in casement pipes or tunnels ? How old is the installation ? Is the heat comming from a steam line or from the adjacent condensate line that has corroded away over many years ?

What is the operating pressure and flowrate of the line in question ?

More stuff........

MJC
If the system is getting

 

[SiPaul]

I don't know much about the steam system. It is operated by a private company that I am not associtated with. It appears that the pipes are encased in concrete and do have some insulation (although perhaps not effective). I have taken the postion that they must mitigate the effects of the storm water from the street in anticipation of the effects on their system.

I have learned that a submerged steam line can generated excessive heat which presumably would damgae the street(or anything) around the pipe. I can only imagine that water would enter the system from the vaults which should be independant of any storm drain system. It would stand to reason again that the design would inlcude provisions to avoid the introduction of storm runoff into the system.

Again, I don't know much about the specifics of the steam sytem operation but will attempt to find out more.

SiPaul