Steam Trace Sizing - Best Tube OD to Use?

[Potcarb]

I'm trying to figure out if I can get away with using 3/8" copper tube to trace some carbon steel pipes. The pipes are 1". The temperature range I'm hoping to maintain is between 180 - 190 F. Our steam supply comes from a 10 psig boiler. The line length isn't terribly long, maybe about 20 ft.

All I can find from a few google searches seem to suggest 3/8" is fine for tracing lengths up to roughly 60 ft, and the only downside would be that it's potentially easier to plug the tube due to its small diameter.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or practical experiences as to why you wouldn't want to use 3/8" OD tube for a line like this?

 

[TugboatEng]

3/8 is fairly large from my experience. A strainer will prevent plugging. Use a trap so you're not wasting steam.

 

[mk3223]

The tube sizes of 3/8" or 1/2" are typical for the steam tracer, as steam is pretty clean from the steam boiler. The proper piping insulation is a key to maintain the process temperature as required for the design, since the steam source is the low pressure of 10 psig.

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Size is fine. I have seen SS 304 tubing for such applications. Cu tubing would lead to Galvanic Corrosion hence not acceptable.

DHURJATI SEN

 

[goutam_freelance]

For 1" pipe 3/8" tracing tube should be better as it will reduce heat loss by reducing the OD of thermal insulation. But since your pressure is only 10 psig, the specific volume is high and the pressure drop in tracing sections need to be checked. Regarding galvanic corrosion I hope you will have heat transfer cement which may prevent electrical contact.

 

[TugboatEng]

I would assume a steam traced pipe under insulation will be hot and dry. Galvanic corrosion should be a non-issue.