This presentation focuses on the heat transfer from /to buried distribution systems suitable for Community Energy Systems. Soil temperatures and thermal properties will be explained. Both insulated and uninsulated piping systems will be discussed. Example calculations for several of the more common thermal design conditions will be presented. The types of piping systems covered include those introduced in Webinar #11: “Piping Options for Buried Distribution Piping of Community Energy Systems”.

List of topics to be covered:

– Soil thermal properties

– Soil temperatures as a function of time and depth

– Heat transfer at the ground’s surface

– Steady state heat transfer calculations for buried piping systems

– Significant thermal resistances

– Thermal design conditions

– Economic insulation thickness for a piping system, example calculation

– Temperature decrease/increase, example calculation

– Design loads placed on the “central plant” by the distribution piping, example calculation

– Recommended references