Water Velocity to Prevent freezing in a pipe.

[hrdrok]

Simple,

I need to move ~10,000 usgpm of water over 3000 feet, in subartic conditions, 24/7 run conditions.

Negligible head (10m +/-) plus line loss.

Heat trace and insulated pipe not an option due to cost.

Anybody have a minimum flow velocity to prevent line freezing,

Probably sclair DR17, water at low single digits (C). Ambient air temp -20C and warmer.

ANy ideas?

I'll put this in civil as well.

h_r

 

[cloa]

Put in the pipeline forum- don't double post in Civil and red flag this one. What's sclair DR17? Is this water potable, pure or what?

 

[RolMec]

Hi hrdrok,

wouldn't do so without heating / insulating or something. The day your pump goes to heaven & temp. is LOW the water WILL freeze within your pipe (or you're faster in letting it out...). Known by name of pipe burst, and the threshold is somewhere around 20 deg F.
Regards

Roland

 

[ManitobaMiner]

Sand Insulation around your pipe will reduce the time before your pipe burst occurs, but heat trace is definately worth the money spent with a pipe this long.