Underground Chilled Water Piping

[supaman79]

Guys,

Does anyone have experience with underground piping for a cloed-loop chilled water system for a residential house? I plan on using a 3" PVC supply line to the house (500 ft to the house)....some questions pop into my mind like..

1.) How do you penetrate to the ground? Bracing or Support needed?

2.) Should I use expansion joints underneath the ground? Sensors at each joint? Tied into a DDC system, or stand-alone?

If anyone has some input into this, or knows where to go for some design info, It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Supaman79

 

[CESSNA1]

SUPAMAN: I assume your are planning to use ground water from a well to either assist an A/C or heat pump. OR are you planning to run water froma chiller to your house and back to the chiller?

Regards
Dave

 

[supaman79]

I'm running a closed-loop from my chiller to my condenser coils back to my chiller

 

[CESSNA1]

SUPAMAN: Most communities have codes for buried stuff. For example: in North San Diego County buried electric lines are supposed to be 36" below grade, but not everyone does it. If you are in an area where freezing is a concern, you want to be below the frost line. Generally the deeper you go the more stable the soil temperature becomes. If it is too close to the surface heat gain/loss form temperature changes can be a concern. For a 500 foot run I would suggest that you insulate the line. The trench can be dug with a rented trencher, or manually. Check with you city on pipe materials some allow pvc some do not.

It will be cheaper and easier, although less attractive, to run the pipe above ground. Put it on standoffs, insulate it, and wrap it with reflective aluminum. I assume you are using a water/glycol solution so you can avoid putting heat tape on the pipe

For that length of pipe you may want to consider expansion joints, but check with the codes and standards for requirements/type/spacing/etc.

Pump sizing and pressure drop are a concern. Make sure everything is compatible.

Regards
Dave

 

[imok2]

This should solve your problem:

http://www.ecoflex.com/en/

 

[orlcool]

consider the material specifications as they apply to colder temperatures; this includes joint cement if planning to use.

 

[orlcool]

consider the material specifications as they apply to colder temperatures; this includes joint cement if planning to use.