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    Pipeline Heat Loss Calculation

    To calculate the heat loss of a specific pipeline, you can use the calculator. After entering data corresponding to the pipeline, the calculation will be performed automatically. Calculating heat losses manually requires time and the use of formulas.


    Heating pipe passing through air

    Enter the inner diameter of the pipe (0-254 mm):

    Mark the minimum calculated temperature difference, (oC):

    up to 10 up to 20 up to 30
    Mark the thickness of the insulation around the pipe(mm). In the calculation mineral wool.

    15 20 25 30 40 50 100

    Heating pipe lying in the ground

    Enter the inner diameter of the pipe (0-152 mm):

    Mark the minimum outside temperature: -10oC -30oC

    Mark the depth of the pipe, (mm). 500 800 1000

    To find out the loss of a specific section for 1 hour, the following formula is used:

    Q = b • l • q
    Where:
    b – coefficient, which takes into account the heat loss relative to the supports, (considered as connections and fittings);
    It is taken from the tables according to standards:
    Steel pipelines - DN < 150mm b=1,2; DN > = 150 b=1,15.
    Non-metallic - b = 1,7.
    If there is no data in the table, the coefficient is not considered in the calculation.
    l – length of the section;
    q – heat losses.

    In this case for q the formula is applied:

    q = k • 3.14 • (tv - tc)
    Where:
    tv – temperature of the pumped medium;
    tc – air temperature around the pipe;
    k – linear coefficient.
    To find k, the formula is applied:
    k = 1 / ( (1/2λt)•ln(dnt/dvt) + (1/2λand)•ln(dni/dvi) + 1/(αn•dni) )
    Where:
    λt – thermal conductivity coefficient of the pipe material used;
    λand – thermal conductivity coefficient of the insulation used;
    dvt, dnt – pipe diameter (inner, outer);
    dvi, dni – insulation diameter (inner, outer);
    αn – coefficient, indicates the heat transfer of the outer surface relative to the insulation.