Experiment No.

4
HEAT LOSSES FROM BARE AND LAGGED PIPES
Course Code: MEP510L2
Course Title: ME LABORATORY 3
Section:ME51FA1
Leader:
Members:

Program: BSME
Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor: Engr. Nelson Dela Pea Jr.

1. Objective:
The activity aims to provide knowledge on the calculation of heat losses from bare and lagged pipes.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Explain the principles of heat loss and heat gain from bare and lagged pipes considering the
materials used in the system.
2.2 Apply the appropriate standards and tables in the calculation of heat losses to improve the
system efficiency.
2.3 Develop professional work ethics, including precision, neatness, safety and ability to follow
instruction.
3. Discussion:
A good pipe covering, in addition to being a good insulator, should be fireproof, waterproof, vermin proof,
odorless, and light in weight. It should also be mechanically strong and should suffer no loss of insulating
value due to time.
The only logical method for testing commercial pipe coverings is to mount these coverings on pipe of the
size for which they were intended. Extensive tests of commercial coverings have been made by various
investigators, and two general methods for heat measurement have been used. For steam-pipe coverings,
the most natural method is to fill the covered pipe with steam, to measure the heat content of the steam
entering and leaving the test section, and to condense and weigh the steam. A dead-end pipe is ordinarily
used, the test pipe itself acting as the steam condenser.
Movement of cooling water, brine, compressed air and steam is essential in any industrial complex. Fluid
movement takes place in piping due pressure difference. For carrying out study in these systems,
knowledge of pressure at various points is essential. For a given length of pipe, pressure drop can be
measured or calculated. Measurement of pressure drop is recommended if instruments of good accuracy
are available and measurement is practically possible. In systems where measurement is not possible,
estimation of pressure drop is recommended.

The measurements and estimations enables to take a decision whether the energy cost due to pressure
drop in existing piping system is more than the total cost of installing a new pipeline of same size or higher
size in order to reduce pressure drop. Recommended pipe size for steam systems is given to help in proper
selection and to verify whether existing piping is properly sized. As a general rule, the pressure drop should
not normally exceed 0.1 bar/50 m.
Piping if left bare can lose heat due to temperature difference between pipe surface temperature and
ambient temperature. The methods of measurements and calculations for estimation of heat losses and
heat gain in piping systems and insulation thickness are described. Measurements of fluid temperature and
pipe surface temperatures are necessary for above calculations.
Heat Loss Calculations:
Heat Loss from Pipes:
Simplified formula for calculating the heat transfer coefficient h (mW/cm2-K) are given below. This is useful
if the temperature difference between surface and the ambient is less than 150C.
For horizontal pipes, h = C1 + 0.005 (Th - Ta)
For vertical pipes, h = C2 + 0.009 (Th - Ta)
where:
h = heat transfer coefficient, (mW/cm 2-C)
Th = hot surface temperature, C
Ta = ambient temperature, C
Using the coefficients C1 and C2 as given below:
Surface
Aluminum, bright rolled
Aluminum, oxidized
Steel
Galvanized sheet metal, dusty
Non metallic surfaces
Area of pipe surface, A = x D x Leff, cm2
where:
D = pipe surface outside diameter, cm
Leff = effective length of pipeline, cm

0.05
0.13
0.15
0.44
0.95

C1
0.25
0.31
0.32
0.53
0.85

C2
0.27
0.33
0.34
0.55
0.87

Types of pipe insulation

Bare and Lagged Pipes

4. Materials and Equipment:

Bare and lagged pipe assembly

Personal protective equipment
Automation unit
Laser Thermometers
Steel tape
Outside calipers
Sling psychrometer
Psychrometric Chart
Log sheets

5. Procedure:
The ASME Test Code specifies that each run should be at least 1 hour long. If the time available for
this experiment necessitates shorter runs, all readings should be taken every 5 minutes.
1. A team leader should be elected or appointed from the group. The team leader must develop
specific log sheets to be used by each member assigned to take data. Accomplished log sheets
should be submitted together with this experiment.
2. Make sure to wear/use the personal protective equipment in the entire duration of the experiment.
3. With the assistance of the laboratory technician, set the main pressure of steam to 40 psig and
difference of 10psig. Set-up and install the automation unit by attaching it to the terminal for bare
and covered pipe assembly. Set the data collection default at 5 minute interval. Encode the
instructor and technician names in the automation system.
4. Fire the boiler.
5. When desired steam pressure is achieved, direct the steam to the Bare and Lagged pipe
assembly by opening and closing the corresponding valves in the steam line header.
6. With the drain valve open wide, turn the steam valve to allow steam to flow through the steam line
long enough to purge apparatus of all air. Close the drain valve. Measure the air properties inside
the boiler room. Plot the results on a psychrometric chart.
7. For the bare pipes, get the steam temperature and that of the outer surface of the pipe (both
steam inlet and outlet). Record the data on the log sheet. Determine the heat losses for each pipe.
8. For the lagged pipe, get the steam temperature, outer surface temperature of the pipe, and that of
outer surface of the covering (both steam inlet and outlet). Record the data on the log sheet.
Identify the insulation used. Determine the heat loss on the lagged pipe. With the bare pipe of
same material, compute the efficiency of the insulation.

9. For the finned pipe, get the temperature of the outer surface of the pipe and that of the outermost
fin surface (both steam inlet and outlet). Record the data on the log sheet. Considering the total
surface area of the finned pipe, compute the heat removed. With the bare pipe of same material,
compute the efficiency of the fin.
10. Repeat the procedure for each bare and lagged pipes over a 2-hour period with readings every 5
minutes. Due to the large number of readings, much care is necessary in arranging and recording
the data.
11. Upon completion of data gathering, stop the automation unit, making sure that data collected is
stored in the hard drive. Print a hard copy. Data from automation unit when used in computation
and diagram must be marked and cited accordingly.
12. For all pipes tested, draw a temperature-length diagram, pipe cross section showing dimensions,
respective heat flow directions. Label each diagram properly.

The efficiency of the insulation is defined as follows:

(Heat lost from bare pipe) - (Heat lost from covered pipe)
E =

x 100%
(Heat lost from bare pipe)
(Heat saved by insulation)

x 100%
(Heat lost without insulation)

The heat-transfer coefficients to be calculated for each test pipe are:

over-all coefficient, U in over-all transmission equation; q = UAT

conductivity of the insulating material k in conduction equation; qL = kAT
outside-surface coefficient h in convection equation; q = hAT

The steam-side-surface coefficient and the contact resistance between covering and pipe may be
neglected.
The value of U for a simple wall:
1
U=
1

L
+

h1

1
+

h2

where:
q
A
T1
T2
MTD
L
k
h
U

= heat flow rate

= area of surface on which heat transfer coefficient is based
= higher temperature
= lower temperature
= mean temperature difference (arithmetic or logarithmic)
= length of heat path
= thermal conductivity
= surface conductance
= transmittance or over-all coefficient

Notes and Precautions:

1. The same amount of condensate should be accumulated each successive 20 minutes by a
given test pipe. If these amounts do not check after a reasonable warming-up period, look
for trouble.
2. Most likely the source of error is due to insufficient venting of air before starting. Make sure
that each test pipe is blown down thoroughly.
3. Use several thermometers for air temperature, place them on a level with the test section,
but protect them from radiation. A piece of aluminum foil makes a good shield for the
thermometer bulb.
4. Do not open doors or windows near the test unit during the conduct of the test.

6. Data and Results:

Table 1: Piping materials
Pipe

Material

Galvanized iron

2
3

Black iron
Black iron pipe with insulation (Perlite
asbestos, outside aluminum)

Stainless Steel

Copper tube

Copper tube fins (nonmetallic)

This experiment used 5 minutes interval for gathering data. For measuring surface temperature in
every pipe we used laser thermometers and psychrometer for air temperature porperties.

Table 2: Pipe inlet

Inside Temperatures: (Reading based on temperature gauges)
Surface Temperatures: (Using infrared gun thermometer)

trials

Pipe 1

Pipe 2

Pipe 3

Pipe 4

Pipe 5

Pipe 6

5mins
49psi
10mins
45psi
15mins
41psi
20mins
40psi
25mins
36psi
30mins
35psi
35mins
34psi
40mins
33psi
45mins
31psi
50mins
30psi
55mins
29psi
60mins
28psi

112.5 C
68.5 C
110 C
62.5 C
111 C
65.3 C
116 C
72.2 C
110 C
66.4 C
110 C
64.4 C
110 C
63.5 C
111 C
66.2 C
111 C
66.5 C
110 C
64.6 C
110 C
69.4 C
110 C
65.5 C

110 C
77.4 C
111 C
64.3 C
111 C
60.6 C
111 C
73.5 C
110 C
65 C
111 C
75.4 C
111 C
60.3 C
111 C
62.7 C
110 C
67 C
111 C
61.2 C
111 C
63.2 C
111 C
62.2 C

118 C
34.7 C
116 C
35 C
116 C
41.4 C
116 C
35.5 C
112 C
34.3 C
111 C
35.7 C
111 C
34.5 C
111 C
35.1 C
111 C
35.2 C
111 C
33.9 C
111 C
34.6 C
111 C
35.2 C

115 C
61.5 C
115 C
48.9 C
115 C
48.6 C
111 C
53.1 C
119 C
59.4 C
111 C
64.3 C
111 C
68.8 C
115 C
59.6 C
111 C
67 C
110 C
66.9 C
110 C
60.4 C
110 C
63.6 C

116 C
60.1 C
116 C
41.2 C
116 C
60.3 C
115 C
66.3 C
120 C
65 C
116 C
50.2 C
116 C
67.6 C
115 C
67.4 C
116 C
63.2 C
115 C
66.5 C
114 C
67.1 C
114 C
69.5 C

121 C
82.2 C
117 C
94.2 C
116 C
98 C
116 C
98.2 C
117 C
91.3 C
116 C
94.1 C
116 C
77.1 C
116 C
92.8 C
116 C
97.7 C
116 C
94.7 C
115 C
97.5 C
115 C
95.4 C

Ambient
temperature
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
32 C
32 C
31.5 C
31 C
31.5 C
32 C
31.5 C

Table 3:Pipe inlet

Corresponding Inside Pressure (Using Steam Table)
Corresponding Surface Pressure (Using Steam Table)
trials
5mins
49psi
10mins
45psi
15mins
41psi
20mins
40psi
25mins
36psi
30mins
35psi
35mins
34psi
40mins
33psi
45mins
31psi
50mins
30psi
55mins
29psi
60mins
28psi

Pipe 1
KPa
153.277
29.2312
143.376
22.3704
148.259
25.379
174.768
34.2914
143.376
26.6515
143.376
34.3767
143.376
23.4081
148.259
26.4162
148.259
26.7698
143.376
34.5965
143.376
30.3998
143.376
25.6065

Pipe 2
KPa
143.376
42.6385
148.259
23.4081
148.259
20.7915
148.259
36.2363
143.376
25.0411
148.259
39.2458
148.259
30.2244
148.259
22.5748
143.376
27.368
148.259
21.0801
148.259
23.0926
148.259
22.0668

Pipe 3
KPa
186.404
5.5359
174.768
5.62862
174.768
7.95369
174.768
5.78614
153.277
5.41433
148.259
5.85022
148.259
5.4782
148.259
5.65982
148.259
5.69118
148.259
5.29509
148.259
5.50529
148.259
5.69118

Pipe 4
KPa
169.177
21.3721
169.177
11.6926
169.177
11.5183
148.259
14.3812
192.455
19.3984
148.259
24.2674
148.259
29.6164
169.177
19.5794
148.259
27.368
143.376
27.2475
143.376
20.318
143.376
23.5141

Pipe 5
KPa
174.768
20.0383
174.768
7.87012
174.768
20.2244
169.177
26.5336
192.455
25.0411
174.768
12.4127
174.768
28.1009
169.177
27.8548
174.768
23.0926
169.177
26.7698
163.734
27.489
163.734
30.5321

Pipe 6
KPa
205.039
51.7996
180 .509
82.1479
174.768
94.3902
174.768
95.0743
180.509
73.7196
174.768
81.8445
174.768
42.1144
174.768
77.9842
174.768
93.3718
174.768
83.679
169.177
92.6979
169.177
85.8623

Ambient
temperature
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
32 C
32 C
31.5 C
31 C
31.5 C
32 C
31.5 C

Table 4: Pipe outlet

Inside Temperatures: (Reading based on temperature gauges)
Surface Temperatures: (Using laser thermometers)

trials
5mins
49psi
10mins
45psi
15mins
41psi
20mins
40psi
25mins
36psi
30mins
35psi
35mins
34psi
40mins
33psi
45mins
31psi
50mins
30psi
55mins
29psi
60mins
28psi

Pipe 1

Pipe 2

Pipe 3

Pipe 4

Pipe 5

Pipe 6

113 C
76.4 C
116 C
72.4 C
112 C
79.7 C
117 C
72.6 C
117 C
76.3 C
115 C
60 C
110 C
77.8 C
117 C
71.3 C
110 C
77.8 C
115 C
75.6 C
112 C
70.6 C
111 C
72.5 C

116 C
76 C
123 C
74 C
120 C
82.6 C
120 C
82.6 C
115 C
22.5 C
118 C
46.5 C
120 C
72.9 C
120 C
74.1 C
120 C
81 C
119 C
79 C
120 C
74.8 C
112 C
68.2 C

116 C
37 C
120 C
36.4 C
118 C
36.1 C
120 C
35.5 C
119 C
35.5 C
117 C
38.4 C
117 C
39.2 C
117 C
39.8 C
118 C
35.9 C
118 C
36 C
119 C
35.3 C
114 C
35.1 C

111 C
44 C
112 C
68 C
110 C
51.7 C
110 C
64.3 C
110 C
56.6 C
110 C
63.8 C
110 C
67.4 C
110 C
64.8 C
109 C
62.6 C
109 C
65.6 C
110 C
64.6 C
109 C
68.9 C

110 C
37.5 C
110 C
36.6 C
109 C
61.8 C
109 C
80.1 C
108 C
51.4 C
108 C
70 C
107 C
57.7 C
107 C
75 C
107 C
81.5 C
106 C
70.2 C
108 C
83 C
108 C
77.7 C

110 C
54.5 C
116 C
89.6 C
112 C
56.6 C
110 C
86.4 C
111 C
80 C
110 C
100.7 C
109 C
77.7 C
109 C
95.1 C
108 C
84 C
107 C
87.5 C
110 C
78.5 C
110 C
86.6 C

Ambient
temperature
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
31 C
32 C
32 C
31.5 C
31 C
31.5 C
32 C
31.5 C

9. Assessment Rubric:
T I P - V PAA 0 5 4 D
Revision Status/Date:0/2009 September 09

CRITERIA

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY PERFORMANCE
BEGINNER
ACCEPTABLE
PROFICIENT
1
2
3

Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Members do not
Skills
demonstrate needed
skills.
Experimental Members are unable to
Set-up
set-up the materials.

Members occasionally
demonstrate needed
skills.
Members are able to
set-up the materials
with supervision.
Members occasionally
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Members always
demonstrate needed
skills.
Members are able to
set-up the material with
minimum supervision.
Members always
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Process
Skills

Members do not
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Safety
Precautions

Members do not follow

safety precautions.

Members follow safety Members follow safety

precautions most of the precautions at all
time.
times.

Members do not finish

on time with incomplete
data.

Members finish on time

with incomplete data.

Work Habits
Time
Management/
Conduct of
Experiment
Cooperative
and
Teamwork

Members finish ahead

of time with complete
data and time to revise
data.
Members do not know
Members have defined Members are on tasks
their tasks and have no responsibilities most of and have
defined responsibilities. the time. Group
responsibilities at all
Group conflicts have to conflicts are
times. Group conflicts
be settled by the
cooperatively managed are cooperatively
teacher.
most of the time.
managed at all times.
Neatness and Messy workplace during Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly
Orderliness
and after the
workplace with
workplace at all times
experiment.
occasional mess during during and after the
and after the
experiment.
experiment.
Ability to do
Members require
Members require
Members do not need
independent supervision by the
occasional supervision to be supervised by the
work
teacher.
by the teacher.
teacher.
Other Comments/Observations:

TOTAL SCORE

SCORE

RATING=
x 100%