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Piping SystemsComputer-Aided Hot-Water Circulation System Sizing
Anjan Lu, CPO
Author's Note: The fol- Figure, RserTempateand UserForm svater supply, and the green
sewing couric ceseribes cells indicate the rerura. ll
cam Excel program Fwrote to
‘mae bor-weuer circstasion
system stzing easter. For a free
copy of the template contact me
‘a luay@yahoo.com. Upcoming
“Computer Corner" columns
yellow cells are for user input
all D4 shows the pipe
code, a letter indicating the
pipe's matenal and schedule.
Ifyou select insulated pipe in
the Userlorm, the pipe code
will discuss the techniques used is L, which means copper
in developing this template tube type I, The code for
‘and other programs relating to Bare ~ Steel Sch 40 is §; the
plumbing system design. code for Bare ~ Brass Pipe is
B; and the code for Bare - CT
‘Type Kis K,
Range C5:C1é lists different
pipe sizes. In range DS:D14
you input the riser length of dilferent
diameters. Range E5:E14 shows the
heat loss, calculated by multiplying the
physical riser length in column D by the
heat loss per unit pipe length. To cal
calate the head! loss, the program uses
the total length (physical or developed
length) plus the equivalent length of
valves and fittings. When you input the
fittings in range F5:F14, their equivalent
lengths appear in range GS:G14. In this,
In ig article *Hot-Whtee
Recirculation Systems? in
Plumbing System & Design's
May/June 2004 issue, Joseph
Messina summarized the importance of
hot wator circulation system sizing with
practical, simplified methods. Some-
times, though, designers oversize hot-
‘water recirculation systems in an effort
to save energy. Thus, I want to intro
duce a computer-aided sizing procedure
that ean make sizing more accurate
How it Works
Microsoft Excel is one of the most
popular spreadsheets for engineering
program, Excel makes a copy from the
template, so you can use it repeatedly
without overwriting the original file.
When you open the file, a UserForm
(a VBA component) appears with a hot-
water recirculation system sizing calcula-
tion template (see Figure 1).
The UserForm. On the right side
of the screen is the UserForm, where
you can select the pipe type: insulated
or bare. IF itis bare, select one of the
three choices: Bare - Steel Sch 40, Bare
= Brass Pipe, or Bare ~ CT Type K. You
calcula
ns. Its User-Defined Functions
(UDF) and Visual Basic for Applications
also can specify the number of risers
(the default is one) and delta T (the
example there are nw elhaws, ane tee
‘one gate ot hall valve, and one check
valve in the hot water weirs riser
(VBA) offer numerous capabilites that
simply calculate engineering problems,
Excel has many functions ready for
default is 29). The reset button in the
‘Therefore, you enter 2etge in cell FT
Userfnem restarts new calculations. The Range HS-H14 shows total pipe lengths.
dns riser button caleulates a simulated
use under the Paste Function icon on
riser diagram (explained later).
You can see range 1614 if it is high-
lighted. These figures are specific heat
the standard toolbar. However, they are
not advanced enough for engineering
use, such as when you want to calculate
Friction loss using the Hazen-Wiliams,
Formula, A UDF is a function
that you can define to peeform a
‘The Template. On the let side of the
sermon is the template si a typi
cal hot-water recirculation system riser
diagram. The pink celle indi
losses for diferent pipe sizes in Buu/he
per lineal foot when water temporatuce
is MOPP and room temperature is 70°F
(ove Table 1). Range F4.C4 automati
cally numbers the risers
Table 1._ Piping Heat Loss _
Range C15:F21 outputs the
xe the hot
ih ie his VR i Mesos FC ue a ERA TEERGTERAT] rates os vnge C1797
common programming (mace) farfioa ‘where you citer the rtura pi
langonge By using UDEs ant Nonna | Ingltedive [Sed AO] Bass | Tek | “res Yu cme the cess ips
Vitkyon cin docga acing [Pops Orbea (See | pee | oipe | ays cl” Oro tase
spreadsheet to caleuate hot [9 7 BOP] B19 sumac hc eat lose
erection rye 4 BETES] (ioc 223 byw far
sizing, 1 [6-39] obtain the Now in gallons per
‘he Procedures ef [ae] minute denves the tol tow
To peo tteclciaion, Ft — BT TS din gp th sown
you need to prepare an Excel 7 ou = SEY in cell E16, The factor is 10,000
template with UDFs and VBA BR] ora temperature diferent of
procedures and save it in the 3 9 18 Ta] 20°, 5,000 for 10°F temperature
template directory. In this case 6 6B 33 161 149