Maximum velocity for the Dowtherm A

[EngBrandao]

Hi,

I would like to know what is the maximum velocity for the thermal fluid (Dowtherm A).

About the recommended velocity for this fluid? Is there some range?

work temperature: 250 - 230°C

I am chemical engineer and I am designing a thermal system. The problem is:

If I use tube of (6 in): velocity is 1.3 m/s

If I use tube of (4 in): velocity is 3.04 m/s

If I design the tube with (4 in) , the velocity will be high but the inventory must be smaller than if I put a tube if 6 in

Thank you!

 

[maddocks]

I used to have an old Dowtherm reference book that had some guidelines but I don;t recall if suggested system velocity was included. Check the Dowtherm site and the reference book?

 

[TD2K]

I'd check with Dow, I've had good success with someone actually reading and responding to questions put in through their website.

3 m/sec isn't something I would typically exclude as being too high velocity for something like this. It's a clean fluid so erosion isn't really a concern.

How long is the piping, how much does the additional pressure drop with the 4" line make on your circulation pump, has the client imposed any limits? As you've found out in the smaller piping sizes, a line size can make a pretty big change in velocity and pressure drop.