Steam pipe sizing estimator
Use to estimate size of steam pipe/main using velocity and pressure drop
| Saturated steam pressure at start of steam pipe | barg | |
| length of steam pipe/main run | m | |
| Steam flow rate | kg/hr | |
| STEEL PIPE, SCH 40, to ANSI B36.1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe size (nominal ID) inch | DN | steam velocity in pipe/main, m/s | steam pressure drop through length of pipe/main, barg |
| 1/8 | 6 | ||
| 1/4 | 8 | ||
| 3/8 | 10 | ||
| 1/2 | 15 | ||
| 3/4 | 20 | ||
| 1 | 25 | ||
| 1 1/4 | 32 | ||
| 1 1/2 | 40 | ||
| 2 | 50 | ||
| 2 1/2 | 65 | ||
| 3 | 80 | ||
| 4 | 100 | ||
| 5 | 125 | ||
| 6 | 150 | ||
| 8 | 200 | ||
| 10 | 250 | ||
| 12 | 300 | ||
Notes:
To keep noise and any possible pipe erosion down it is advisable to keep the velocity of the steam down below 40m/s. This may vary on some applications and depends on the length of steam pipe. Please note that if steam goes through valves the velocity may vary
An estimate for pressure drop through pipe fittings should always be allowed for. Always ensure that the pressure drop does not result in a lower steam pressure being delivered at the point of use than is desired.
Steam velocity figures estimated above are an average over the length of steam pipe/main, (i.e. (V1+V2)/2)
Figures calculated are of a simple theoretical nature and other variables may need to be considered depending on application