Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing

Engineering

Experiment No. 7
Heat Loss

13 IGNACIO, Kenneth P.
2015

Date of Performance: December 1,

ME144L/B1

Date of Submission: December 8, 2015

Group No. 2

Engr. Teodulo A. Valle

Instructor

Table of Contents
Page
I.

Objectives.3

II.

Theories and Hypothesis..3

III.

List of Apparatus.....6

IV.

Procedures...9

V.

Set-up of Apparatus..10

VI.

Final Data Sheet.....11

VII.

Sample Computation

VIII.

Test Data Analysis...13

IX.

Discussion..14

X.

Questions and Answers....29

XI.

Conclusion...32

XII.

References...32

I.

.12

Objectives
To determine the efficiency of the insulating material using
steam as the heating medium.

II.

Theory/Analysis

In physics, heat is energy in transfer other than as work or by transfer of

matter. When there is a suitable physical pathway, heat flows from a hotter
body to a colder one. The transfer results in a net increase in entropy. The
pathway can be direct, as in conduction and radiation, or indirect, as
in convective circulation.
2

Heat refers to a process of transfer between two systems, the system of

interest, and its surroundings considered as a system, not to a state or
property of a single system. If heat transfer is slow and continuous, so that
the temperature of the system of interest remains well defined, it can be
described by a process function.
Kinetic theory explains heat as a macroscopic manifestation of the motions
and

interactions

of

microscopic

constituents

such

as molecules and photons.

In calorimetry, sensible heat is defined with respect to a particular state
variable of the system; it causes change of temperature, leaving that
particular state variable unchanged. Heat transfer that occurs with the
system at constant temperature and that changes that particular state
variable is called latent heat with respect to that variable. For infinitesimal
changes, the total incremental heat transfer is then the sum of the latent
and

sensible

heat

increments.

This

is

basic

paradigm

for

thermodynamics, and was important in the historical development of the

subject.
The quantity of energy transferred as heat is a scalar expressed in an
energy unit such as the joule (J) (SI), with a sign that is customarily positive
when a transfer adds to the energy of a system. It can be measured
by calorimetry, or determined by calculations based on other quantities,
relying on the first law of thermodynamics.
For a closed system (a system from which no matter can enter or exit), one
version of the first law of thermodynamics states that the change
in internal

energy Uof

the

system

is

equal

to

the

amount

of

heat Q supplied to the system minus the amount of work W done by

system on its surroundings. The foregoing sign convention for work is used
in the present article, but an alternate sign convention, followed by IUPAC,
3

for work, is to consider the work performed on the system by its

surroundings as positive. This is the convention adopted by many modern
textbooks of physical chemistry, such as those by Peter Atkins and Ira
Levine, but many textbooks on physics define work as work done by the
system.

This formula can be re-written so as to express a definition of quantity of

energy transferred as heat, based purely on the concept of adiabatic work,
if it is supposed that U is defined and measured solely by processes of
adiabatic work:

The work done by the system includes boundary work (when the system
increases its volume against an external force, such as that exerted by a
piston) and other work (e.g. shaft work performed by a compressor fan),
which is called isochoric work:

In this Section we will neglect the "other-" or isochoric work contribution.

The internal energy, U, is a state function. In cyclical processes, such as the
operation of a heat engine, state functions of the working substance return
to their initial values upon completion of a cycle.
A good pipe covering in addition to being a good insulator, should be
fireproof, waterproof, vermin proof, odorless and light in weight. It should
also be mechanically strong and should suffer no loss of insulating value
with age. Asbestos and carbonate of magnesia are the most commonly
used pipe-covering materials.
The only logical method of testing commercial pipe covering is, of course,
to mount the covering on a pipe of the size for which they were intended.
Extensive tests of commercial coverings have been made by the various
4

investigators, and two general methods for for heat measurement had
been used. For steam-pipe coverings, the most natural method id to fill the
covered pipe with steam, to measure the heat content of the stram
entering and leaving the test section, and to condensate and weigh the
steam. A dead-end pipe is ordinarily used, the test pipe itself acting as the
steam condenser. The second and more accurate method is to supply and
measure the heat electronically. When the latter method is used, the endcorrection is eliminated by covering the pipe-ends with heavily insulated
caps and maintaining separately heated end sections adjacent to the caps
at the same temperature as the same section. The heat from the main test
section cannot then travel along the pipe and must escape rapidly through
the covering under test.
In the present experiment, the steam-condensation method will be used
because of the simplicity of the apparatus involved.

III.

List of Apparatus

Steam Generator

Throttling Calorimeter

Piping System

Balance with Set of Weights

Mercury Manometer

Thermometer Bulbs

Tin Cans (3pcs)

Steel Tape

Asbestos Gloves

Stop Watch

IV.

Procedures

1. Open all drain pipes and relief valves.

2. Purge the condensate and the impurities by opening the main seam
valve.

3. After the gorging process, close the relief valves and drain pipes
simultaneously and let the main steam-valve open. Start timing the trial for
30 mins.
4. Put the thermometer bubs in their proper places to be able to determine
the outside surface temperature of the insulation.
5. Measure the weight of the tin cans before placing them in the respective
drain pipes.
6. Before the duration ends, obtain the temperature readings.
7. After 30 minute duration, close the main steam-line.
8. Open the pressure relief valve slowly until all pressure releases.
9. Wait for about 2 minutes for condensate to occur.
10. Collect the condensate in the tin cans and see to it that the
temperature is obtained.
11. Measure weights of condensate.
12. For the next trial, repeat above procedures.
13. Compute all necessary requirements needed to complete the data
sheet.

V.

Set-up of the Equipment

FULLY
COVER
ED

VI.

PARTLY
COVER
ED

Final Data Sheet

10

BAR
E

PIPE

STEAM

STEAM

STEAM

MASS

PRESS.

TEMP.

QUALITY

CONDENSA

(PSI)

(OF)

(%)

TE

186.8
186.8

97
97

(KG)
0.641
0.242

Hf
186.8
(KJ/Kg)

Q
97
(KJ)

Ef
0.306
(%)

BARE

(OF)
161.6

301.36

193.17

PARTLY

167

313.93

75.97

60.67

172.4

326.51

99.91

48.28

BARE
PARTLY
COVERED
PIPE
FULLY
COVERED

42
42
TEMP.
42
CONDENSA
TE

COVERE
D
FULLY
COVERE
D

VII.

Sample Computation
BARE:

Ps = 42 psia
From S.T.:
Ts = 186.8 F
x = 97%
m = 0.641kg
Tc = 72 C = 161.6 F
Hs = Hf + x Hfg
Hf = 249.777 Btu/lb
Hfg = 924.191 Btu/lb
Hs = 249.777 + (0.98)(924.191)
11

Hs = 1155.48418 Btu/lb (
Hs = 2686.7549

1.055 KJ
2.204 lb
)
(
)
1 Btu
1 kg

KJ
kg

From S.T.:
Hfcbare = 301.36 KJ/kg
Hfcsemi = 284.61 KJ/kg
Hfcfull = 326.51 KJ/kg
Qb = mcond (Hs - Hfcbare)
= 0.641kg (2686.7549 301.36)
Qb = 193.17 kJ
EFF =

VIII.

Qb Q b 193.17193.17
=
=0
Qb
193.17

Test Data Analysis

In this particular experiment, the insulation of the pipe were observed.

Three kinds of insulation were used specifically bare pipe, partly covered
pipe and fully covered pipe. By this, the efficiency of the three insulations
were obtained.

Based on the data given from our table the temperature, pressure and
quality at the suction are all constant since no changes occurred from the
12

start. On the other hand, the mass condensate each pipe decreases from
bare to partly covered. This is the effect of the temperature due to the
difference between the insulations of the three pipes. As the temperature
of the condensate increases, the mass condensate decreases, thus we can
establish an inverse proportionality between the parameters. Also, the heat
also decreases as the temperature decreases.

On the efficiency, it was obvious that the bare pipe has 0% percent
efficiency in terms of insulation since no cover was enclosed. But basing
the partly and the fully covered pipe, the pipe that was mostly covered
with insulation was more efficient since the heat transfer from outside to
inside and vice-versa of the surrounding was lessened.

IX.

Discussion

Heat transfer is the exchange of thermal energy between physical systems,

depending on the temperature and pressure, by dissipating heat. The
fundamental

modes

of

heat

transfer

are

conduction or diffusion, convection and radiation.

Heat transfer always occurs from a region of high temperature to another
region of lower temperature. Heat transfer changes the internal energy of
both systems involved according to the First Law of Thermodynamics.
13

[1]

The Second

Law

of

Thermodynamics defines

the

concept

of

thermodynamic entropy, by measurable heat transfer.

Thermal

equilibrium is

reached

when

all

involved

bodies

and

the

surroundings reach the same temperature. Thermal expansion is the

tendency of matter to change in volume in response to a change
in temperature.
Heat is defined in physics as the transfer of thermal energy across a welldefined boundary around a thermodynamic. The thermodynamic free
energy is the amount of work that a thermodynamic system can
perform. Enthalpy is a thermodynamic potential, designated by the letter
"H", that is the sum of the internal energy of the system (U) plus the
product of pressure (P) and volume (V). Joule is a unit to quantify energy,
work, or the amount of heat.
Heat transfer is a process function (or path function), as opposed
to functions of state; therefore, the amount of heat transferred in
a thermodynamic process that changes the state of a system depends on
how that process occurs, not only the net difference between the initial and
final states of the process.
Thermodynamic and mechanical heat transfer is calculated with the heat
transfer coefficient, the proportionality between the heat flux and the
thermodynamic driving force for the flow of heat. Heat flux is a
quantitative, vectorial representation of the heat flow through a surface.[3]
In engineering contexts, the term heat is taken as synonymous to thermal
energy. This usage has its origin in the historical interpretation of heat as a
fluid (caloric) that can be transferred by various causes, [4] and that is also
common in the language of laymen and everyday life.

14

The transport equations for thermal energy (Fourier's law), mechanical

momentum (Newton's law for fluids), and mass transfer (Fick's laws of
diffusion) are similar,[5][6] and analogies among these three transport
processes have been developed to facilitate prediction of conversion from
any one to the others.[6]
Thermal

engineering concerns

the generation, use, conversion, and

exchange of heat transfer. As such, heat transfer is involved in almost

every sector of the economy.[7] Heat transfer is classified into various
mechanisms, such as thermal conduction, thermal convection, thermal
radiation, and transfer of energy by phase changes.

Advection
By transferring matter, energyincluding thermal energyis moved by the
physical transfer of a hot or cold object from one place to another. [8] This
can be as simple as placing hot water in a bottle and heating a bed, or the
movement of an iceberg in changing ocean currents. A practical example
is thermal hydraulics. This can be described by the formula:

where Q is heat flux (W/m), is density (kg/m),

is heat capacity at

constant pressure (J/(kg*K)), T is the change in temperature (K),

is

velocity (m/s).
Conduction
On a microscopic scale, heat conduction occurs as hot, rapidly moving or
vibrating atoms and molecules interact with neighboring atoms and
molecules, transferring some of their energy (heat) to these neighboring
particles. In other words, heat is transferred by conduction when adjacent
15

atoms vibrate against one another, or as electrons move from one atom to
another. Conduction is the most significant means of heat transfer within a
solid or between solid objects in thermal contact. Fluidsespecially gases
are less conductive. Thermal contact conductance is the study of heat
conduction between solid bodies in contact.[9]
Steady state conduction (see Fourier's law) is a form of conduction that
happens when the temperature difference driving the conduction is
constant, so that after an equilibration time, the spatial distribution of
temperatures in the conducting object does not change any further. [10] In
steady state conduction, the amount of heat entering a section is equal to
amount of heat coming out.[9]
Transient conduction (see Heat equation) occurs when the temperature
within an object changes as a function of time. Analysis of transient
systems

is

more

complex

and

often

calls

for

the

application

of

approximation theories or numerical analysis by computer.

Convection
The flow of fluid may be forced by external processes, or sometimes (in
gravitational fields) by buoyancy forces caused when thermal energy
expands the fluid (for example in a fire plume), thus influencing its own
transfer. The latter process is often called "natural convection". All
convective processes also move heat partly by diffusion, as well. Another
form of convection is forced convection. In this case the fluid is forced to
flow by use of a pump, fan or other mechanical means.
Convective heat transfer, or convection, is the transfer of heat from one
place to another by the movement of fluids, a process that is essentially
the transfer of heat via mass transfer. Bulk motion of fluid enhances heat
transfer in many physical situations, such as (for example) between a solid
surface and the fluid.[11]Convection is usually the dominant form of heat
transfer in liquids and gases. Although sometimes discussed as a third
16

method of heat transfer,

convection
used

to

is

usually

describe

the

combined effects of heat

conduction

within

the

fluid (diffusion) and heat

transference by bulk fluid
flow

streaming.[12] The

process of transport by
fluid streaming is known
as advection, but pure
advection is a term that is
generally associated only
with mass transport in
fluids, such as advection
of pebbles in a river. In
the case of heat transfer
in fluids, where transport by advection in a fluid is always also
accompanied by transport via heat diffusion (also known as heat
conduction) the process of heat convection is understood to refer to the
sum of heat transport by advection and diffusion/conduction.
Free, or natural, convection occurs when bulk fluid motions (streams and
currents) are caused by buoyancy forces that result from density variations
due to variations of temperature in the fluid. Forced convection is a term
used when the streams and currents in the fluid are induced by external
meanssuch as fans, stirrers, and pumpscreating an artificially induced
convection current
Thermal

insulation is

the

reduction

of heat

transfer (the

transfer

of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature) between

objects in thermal contact or in range of radioactive influence. Thermal
17

insulation

can

be

achieved

with

specially

engineered

methods

or

processes, as well as with suitable object shapes and materials.

Heat flow is an inevitable consequence of contact between objects of
differing temperature. Thermal insulation provides a region of insulation in
which thermal conduction is reduced or thermal radiation is reflected
rather than absorbed by the lower-temperature body.
The

insulating

capability

of

material

is

measured

with thermal

conductivity (k). Low thermal conductivity is equivalent to high insulating

capability (R-value). In thermal engineering, other important properties of
insulating

materials

are

product

density and specific heat capacity (c).

Low thermal conductivity (k) materials reduce
heat fluxes. The smaller the k value, the
larger the corresponding thermal resistance
(R)

value.

Thermal

conductivity

is

measured

in watts-per-meter

per Kelvin (Wm1K1), represented as k. As the thickness of insulating

material increases, the thermal resistanceor R-valuealso increases.
For a cylinder, the convective thermal resistance is inversely proportional
to the surface area and therefore the radius of the cylinder, while
the thermal resistance of a cylindrical shell (the insulation layer) depends
on the ratio between outside and inside radius, not on the radius itself.
Suppose for example that we double the outside radius of a cylinder by
applying insulation. We have added a fixed amount of conductive
resistance (equal to ln(2)/(2kL)) but at the same time we have halved the
value of the convective resistance. Because convective resistance tends to
infinity when the radius approaches zero, at small enough radiuses the
decrease in convective resistance will be larger than the added conductive
resistance,

resulting

in

lower
18

total

resistance.

This implies that a critical radius exists at which the heat transfer is
maximum. Above this critical radius, added insulation decreases the heat
transfer. For insulated cylinders, the critical radius is given by the
equation

[1]

This equation shows that the critical radius depends only on the heat
transfer coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the insulation. If the
radius of the uninsulated cylinder is larger than the critical radius for
insulation, the addition of any amount of insulation will decrease the heat
transfer.
Applications
Condensation control
Where pipes operate at below-ambient temperatures, the potential exists
for water vapour to condense on the pipe surface. Moisture is known to
contribute towards many different types of corrosion, so preventing the
formation of condensation on pipe work is usually considered important.
Pipe insulation can prevent

condensation

forming, as the

surface

temperature of the insulation will vary from the surface temperature of the
pipe. Condensation will not occur, provided that (a) the insulation surface is
above the dew point temperature of the air; and (b) the insulation
incorporates some form of water-vapour barrier or retarder that prevents
water vapour from passing through the insulation to form on the pipe
surface.
Pipe freezing

19

Since some water pipes are located either outside or in unheated areas
where the ambient temperature may occasionally drop below the freezing
point of water, any water in the pipe work may potentially freeze. When
water freezes, it expands due to negative thermal expansion, and this
expansion can cause failure of a pipe system in any one of a number of
ways.
Pipe insulation cannot prevent the freezing of standing water in pipe work,
but it can increase the time required for freezing to occurthereby
reducing the risk of the water in the pipes freezing. For this reason, it is
recommended to insulate pipe work at risk of freezing, and local watersupply regulations may require pipe insulation be applied to pipe work to
reduce the risk of pipe freezing.[1]
For a given length, a smaller-bore pipe holds a smaller volume of water
than a larger-bore pipe, and therefore water in a smaller-bore pipe will
freeze more easily (and more quickly) than water in a larger-bore pipe
(presuming equivalent environments). Since smaller-bore pipes present a
greater risk of freezing, insulation is typically used in combination with
alternative

methods

of

freeze

prevention

(e.g.,

modulating trace

heating cable, or ensuring a consistent flow of water through the pipe).

Energy saving
Since pipe work can operate at temperatures far removed from the
ambient temperature, and the rate of heat flow from a pipe is related to
the temperature differential between the pipe and the surrounding ambient
air, heat flow from pipe work can be considerable. In many situations,
this heat flow is undesirable. The application of thermal pipe insulation
introduces thermal resistance and reduces the heat flow.

20

Thicknesses of thermal pipe insulation used for saving energy vary, but as
a general rule, pipes operating at more-extreme temperatures exhibit a
greater heat flow and larger thicknesses are applied due to the greater
potential savings.
The location of pipe work also influences the selection of insulation
thickness. For instance, in some circumstances, heating pipe work within a
well-insulated building might not require insulation, as the heat that's "lost"
(i.e., the heat that flows from the pipe to the surrounding air) may be
considered useful for heating the building, as such "lost" heat would be
effectively trapped by the structural insulation anyway.[3] Conversely, such
pipe work may be insulated to prevent overheating or unnecessary cooling
in the rooms through which it passes.
Protection against extreme temperatures
Where pipe work is operating at extremely high or low temperatures, the
potential exists for injury to occur should any person come into physical
contact with the pipe surface. The threshold for human pain varies, but
several international standards set recommended touch temperature
limits.
Since the surface temperature of insulation varies from the temperature of
the pipe surface, typically such that the insulation surface has a "less
extreme" temperature, pipe insulation can be used to bring surface touch
temperatures into a safe range.
Control of noise
Pipe work can operate as a conduit for noise to travel from one part of a
building to another (a typical example of this can be seen with waste-water
pipe work routed within a building). Acoustic insulation can prevent this

21

noise transfer by acting to damp the pipe wall and performing an acoustic
decoupling function wherever the pipe passes through a fixed wall or floor
and wherever the pipe is mechanically fixed.
Pipe work can also radiate mechanical noise. In such circumstances, the
breakout of noise from the pipe wall can be achieved by acoustic insulation
incorporating a high-density sound barrier.
Benefits of Mechanical Insulation:

Reduce Heat Loss, Reduce energy prices

Fire Protection and Protection against hot pipes

Prevent Condensation and pipes from freezing

Protection from corrosion

Sound Reduction and Acoustic Protection

Types of Mechanical Pipe Insulation:

Fiberglass Pipe Insulation - Made from inorganic
glass fibers and a foil vapor retarder ASJ jacket, this
product offers excellent resistance to heat loss and gain
with a thermal conductivity (.23 K at 75 degress F). The
inorganic fibers of Fiberglass pipe insulation give the product excellent fire
resistance and can be applied to applications
temperature up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

with an operating

Common uses include

commercial building, industrial and process applications. Our main

suppliers of fiberglass insulation include Knauf, Owens Corning, and
Manson.
Various types of Cladding (Jacketing) are available for outdoor applications.
Some common jacketing systems are Aluminum Jacketing, Stainless Steel,
22

Venture Clad, and PVC Jacketing.

Elastomeric Rubber Pipe Insulation Also known
as Closed Cell Pipe Insulation, is thermal insulation
designed for the HVAC and Refrigeration industry.
Rubber foam insulation's closed-cell foam technology is
highly recommended for condensation control, due to its excellent
moisture vapor resistance (<0.06) and thermal conducticty (.265 K at 75
degree F). Applications include refrigerant lines, cold water plumbing,
chilled water systems, and can also be used to retard heat flow on solar
panels and other applications up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a very
flexible product that makes it easy to apply. Available in un-slit or pre-slit,
self sealing pipe insulation. Various types of protective cladding are
available upon request.
Polyethylene Pipe Insulation - Commonly referred to
as Thermacel Insulation or Foam Pipe Insulation, the
material

is

self-sealing,

flexible,

polyolefin,

thermal

insulation. Therma-cel has a low thermal conductivity and low

water vapor transmission rate. The product is very low density with strong
thermal, physical and chemical resistant properties but is less flexible and
more rigid than our Rubber Foam Insulation products and does not have
strong fire resistance. Service temperature range between -330F and
210F (-201C and 99C). It can be installed in commercial, industrial and
residential insulation projects. Acceptable for use with heat tracing/heat
tape.

Variation of Heat Loss in the Steam Boiler

23

Each steam boiler has different thermal efficiency. There is no steam boiler
which has thermal efficiency 100% because there are some heat losses
which reduce the efficiency. The sources of heat loss are dependent on
type of boiler. They can be different based on type of fuel, combustion /
firing process, and so on. Solid fuel usually influence higher heat loss than
liquid or gaseous fuel.
The heat loss can derived from:
1.

Heat loss in flue gases

The cause of heat loss in flue gas is typical with the cause of heat loss in
the stack. Air is required to make sure perfect combustion. Because of the
mixing between air and fuel is not perfect to perform complete combustion
in the steam boiler, excess air is totally needed. Amount of excess air in
each type of fuel and type of furnace and burner are different. The amount
of excess air must be made as small as possible because the heating which
be needed to heat excess air does not has destination. The excess air
which is not used in the process of combustion or firing will flow leave the
steam boiler at temperature of stack, so it can be called heat loss.
The flue gas exit from the stack has temperature hotter will increase the
heat loss then less efficiency of steam boiler. The reasons why the flue gas
temperature is too hot may be caused by the burner or firing process
generates more heat than specific load that is needed in the steam boiler.
In addition, the temperature of flue gas is too hot because heat transfer in
surfaces of pressure parts is not working correctly so it will impact heat is
not transferred to the water.
Therefore, to prevent that, it need to perform maintenance and recalibration of burner and its accessories, also clean the surfaces of
pressure parts form slag. But, something must be considered that
temperature of exit flue gas is maintained to dont too much cooling, so
temperature is not down until dew point that can cause of corrosion.

24

Flue gases are the single most important cause of energy loss. As much as
18 to 22 percent of available energy goes up the chimney. Heat radiation
and convection from boiler walls raise heat loss another 1 to 4 percent.
There are four main ways of reducing flue gas energy losses:

by improving the efficiency of converting the fuel to heat (improved

combustion system efficiency)

by requiring less air for satisfactory combustion

by ensuring that the boiler casing is tight, so that there is no air/heat

entering or leaving the casing through leaks

by improving the efficiency of transferring the heat to the steam or

hot water (improved heat exchanger efficiency.

Operating practices such as blowdown cause other losses, as do
inefficiencies in steam and hot water distribution systems.
2.

Heat loss because of unburned fuel, usually solid fuel in all remaining

process of firing
Heat loss because of unburned fuel is depending on type of fuel. If the fuel
used is gas or oil, the combustion process if it is not performed perfectly
will produce CO; it can be called heat loss. This CO will be highly toxic (for
gas fuel) and will be attended by smoke and fouling (for oil fuel). For gas
and oil fuel, carbon can be burned nearly 100 %. But for coal fuel, carbon
can be burned until 98% - 99% for Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion
Boiler and Pulverized Fuel Firing Boiler, 90% - 95% for Bubbling Fluidized
Bed Combustion Boiler, and 80% - 90% for Stoker Boiler. Heat loss because
of unburned fuel generally occurs in solid fuel firing.
The steam boiler with type stoker or grate will need long time to burn
carbon. Some of carbons leave the furnace with unburned condition.
Amount of unburned fuel depending on type of coal, thicker coal and grate
stoker running too fast will increase excessive unburned fuel.

25

Unburned fuel can be seen in fly ash and dust contained in flue gas before
discharge to stack. To minimize heat loss because of unburned fuel,
operator of steam boiler must adjust balance draft through some of air
system devices like force draft fan, secondary air fan, and induced draft fan
to burn fuel completely and overcome the resistance of the flue gas passes
the steam boiler. Unburned fuel or carbon will influence on combustion
efficiency and show an efficiency loss.
In the present day technology of gaseous fuel combustion, it is possible to
completely remove this loss. Most of the oil firing equipments would also
ensure complete combustion of the oil. In the case of solid fuels however,
there is always a certain quantum of unburnt carbon found along with the
residual ash. The typical of values of unburnt carbon found in boiler ash is
indicated in table 1. The unburnt carbon can be significantly reduced by
improving the design and operation of combustion equipment. The
combustion of fuels improves by increasing the temperature of the fuel and
air as well as by increasing time available for combustion. By providing
adequate turbulence to the combustion air, it will allow fresh molecules of
oxygen to continuously come into contact with solid fuel particles and
thereby ensure complete combustion. In order to achieve these results, we
must increase the air pre-heat and the 'heat loading' in the furnace.
Burners with high swirl numbers would improve the turbulence and assist
in complete combustion of the fuel. The admission of combustion air at
appropriate locations along the trajectory of the fuel particles would also
enhance completeness of combustion. The reduction of this loss would
therefore be possible by improving the combustion system design. The
fluidized bed combustion is a very effective method of reducing unburnt
fuel loss. Many advances have been achieved in the recent past, in the
field of fluidized bed combustion technology.
3.

Heat loss because of radiation loss

26

Temperature of steam boiler is always higher (hotter) than temperature of

environment.

Heat

transfer

tends

to

be

transferred

from

higher

temperature to lower temperature. In this case, heat transfer occurs by

radiation from the steam boiler to its environment. The transfer of heat to
the surrounding can be called heat loss because of radiation.
To minimize heat loss, insulation should be installed well. Damage or poor
installation will enhance heat loss. The well insulated of water tube boiler
which has capacity 5 MW or more, approximately the heat loss occurs
between 0.3% - 0.5%. That amount of heat loss is constant even the steam
boiler is operated in full load condition or Maximum Continuous Rating
(MCR) and in stand by condition, it means that the steam boiler is not
produce steam to the plant. Therefore the steam boiler should perform full
load condition to increase combustion efficiency.
The boiler operator must cooperate with department of production to
perform boiler in full load condition to attain the highest thermal efficiency.
Amount of heat loss because of radiation average is under 1 % and
become smaller depending on the steam boiler size and the water cooling
increase.
The loss is due to natural convection on the insulated surface of the boiler.
The general practice for insulation is, to design the insulated skin
temperature to be 20(C) above the ambient temperature. Generally this
would keep down this loss to a value less than 200 KCAL/M2/hr. However,
the insulation thickness can be reduced or increased depending on the
special site conditions. In the indoor type boilers, there is reduced natural
convection and hence can economically accommodate relatively higher
skin temperatures. The skin temperature of the insulated surfaces is also
governed by safety requirements. Wherever there is a possibility of human
beings, moving close to the insulated surfaces, it should be ensured that
the insulated surface skin temperature should not be higher than 60(C).

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The American Boiler Manufacturers' Association have made detailed

studies in the past on the quantum of 'Radiation Loss' in boilers. Figure 4
gives the chart of acceptable radiation loss in various boilers.
4.

Heat loss that cannot be countable

5.

Heat loss in stack; consist of humidity loss, moisture loss, and dry

gas loss.

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X.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the importance of calculating the heat loss and gain of

homes?
Calculating heat loss and gain will determine the latent heat gain in
your home compared to the sensible heat gain. Latent heat is moisture
that is condensed from the air, lowering both the humidity and the
temperature in your home. Sensible heat is the heat you actually feel from
your system. Understanding the two as they are controlled by your HVAC
system is a key to achieving and maintaining a high level of efficiency.
2. What are the diferent types/classification heat transfers?
Diferentiate.
Conduction
Conduction is the transfer of the heat through a solid object, liquid or
gas. In order for the heat to be conducted, there should be physical contact
between particles and some temperature difference. When one part of an
object is heated, the molecules within it vibrate against one another, begin
to move faster and more vigorously, when these molecules hit other
molecules within the object they cause heat to be transferred through the
entire object. Substances that conduct heat readily are called conductors,
while substances that don't conduct heat readily are called insulators.
Metal (e.g. copper, platinum, gold iron, etc) is a good conductor of thermal
energy, aluminum is a good insulator. Wood falls somewhere in between.
Conduction is greater in solids, where molecules are in constant contact.
Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat energy between a solid surface and
the nearby movement of a liquid or gas (such as air). As fluid motion goes
more quickly the convective heat transfer increases. The presence of bulk
motion of fluid enhances the heat transfer between the solid surface and

29

the fluid. By this mode, heat is transferred when a heated air/gas or liquid
moves from place to another, carrying its heat with it. The rate of heat flow
will depend on the temperature of the moving gas or liquid and on its rate
of flow.
Radiation
Heat energy is transmitted in the form of light, as infrared radiation
or another form of electromagnetic waves. No medium is necessary for
radiation to occur, for it is transferred through electromagnetic waves;
radiation works even in and through a perfect vacuum (like) space) or air.
Radiant heat transfer occurs between objects that are not touching. This is
a direct transfer of heat from one object to another, without heating the air
in between. The sun heating the earth is an example of radiant heat
transfer. The sun warms the earth without warming the space between the
sun and the earth. An example of radiant heat transfer is found in a typical
attic during the hot climate or summer. The sun radiates heat to the roof,
which in turn radiates heat down toward the ceiling. If the insulation
covering the ceiling does not effectively resist radiant heat transfer, then
the ceiling will become increasingly warm - radiate heat down into the
home - and the home will be uncomfortable. Properly applied insulation
arrests radiant heat transfer.
3.

How to prevent heat losses at home?

Reducing the amount of heat loss in your home can help the

environment, and it can save you a bunch of your hard-earned cash. Some
heat loss reduction methods may require an investment, but it will be
worth it when the electric bill comes. Here are some simple ways to keep
your house toasty this winter that don't involve cranking up the
thermostat.
Insulate your attic

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Hot air rises, and unfortunately a good bit of your heating escapes
through the roof. Placing a layer of insulation in the attic or crawlspace of
your home can trap more of that heat where you want it. The California
Energy Commission reports that, in older homes, adding attic insulation is
the single most cost-effective way to reduce your heating bill.
Add double-glazed windows
Up to 20 percent of a home's heat loss can be accounted for by
poorly

insulated

windows,

according

to

Green

Energy

Saving,

an

organization founded to inform individuals and small businesses about

practical energy-saving methods. Double-glazed windows have two panes
of glass, and the air in between those two panes acts as an insulating
boundary between the cold outdoor air and your heated indoor air. Doubleglazed windows aren't cheap, but they pay for themselves in the long run.
Seal up your doors
According to the Edison Electric Institute, an organization that
provides power industry statistics and helps lead the formation of public
policy on energy issues, drafty doors and entrances could account for 1530 percent of a home's total heating costs. Simply placing weatherstripping and caulking over open spaces and gaps around doorframes can
cut down on wasted energy.
Insulate your walls
Your walls comprise most of the outer surface area of your home.
Many homes have cavity insulation in the walls, and upgrading to a
material with a higher insulating value might reduce heating bills. If you're
adding insulation to previously existing walls without large insulation
cavities, the U.S. Department of Energy encourages the use of sprayedfoam insulation, since it can conform to any shape and can be used in even
the tightest gaps.
Seal up miscellaneous leaks

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Electric wall outlets and switches can cause heat loss. Pre-sized foam
gaskets are available at hardware stores to block off any gaps around wall
fixtures. And finally, don't forget to close the damper in your fireplace when
not in use. If you have glass doors in front of the fireplace, keep them
closed as well. An open fireplace is a great escape route for hot air.
XI.

Conclusions

The experiment aims to observe the difference on the applications

insulating materials on piping systems. The mass condensate, temperature
condensate, enthalpy, heat and efficiency were changed when insulating
materials were changed too.

The group had successfully determined the efficiency of the insulating

material using steam as the heating medium. We proved that insulations
were really effective in lessening the heat transfer if heat from the system
to the surrounding and vice-versa. It was then found that the fully covered
pipe was more efficient compared to partly covered pipe due to the
insulation used. The insulation restricted the enter and exit of heat flow
which yielded on the efficiencies we got. On the other hand, a bare piping
has zero efficiency since no insulation was used.
XII.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_transfer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_insulation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_insulation

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