Question: Reconsider Problem. In order to reduce heat losses, it is proposed to insulate the steam pipe with 5-cm-thick fiberglass insulation (k = 0.038 W/m.K) and to wrap it with aluminum foil (ε = 0.1) in order to minimize the radiation losses. Also, an estimate is obtained from a local insulation contractor, who proposed to do the insulation job for $750, including materials and labor. Would you support this proposal? How long will it take for the insulation to pay for itself from the energy it saves? Assume the temperature of the steam pipe to remain constant at 170°C. Evaluate air properties at a film temperature of 27.5°C and 1 atm pressure. Is this a good assumption?
Problem: During a visit to a plastic sheeting plant, it was observed that a 60-m-long section of a 2-in nominal (6.03-cm-outerdiameter) steam pipe extended from one end of the plant to the other with no insulation on it. The temperature measurements at several locations revealed that the average temperature of the exposed surfaces of the steam pipe was 170°C, while the temperature of the surrounding air was 20°C. The outer surface of the pipe appeared to be oxidized, and its emissivity can be taken to be 0.7. Taking the temperature of the surrounding surfaces to be 20°C also, determine the rate of heat loss from the steam pipe. Steam is generated in a gas furnace that has an efficiency of 78 percent, and the plant pays $1.10 per therm (1 therm = 105,500 kJ) of natural gas. The plant operates 24 h a day 365 days a year, and thus 8760 h a year. Determine the annual cost of the heat losses from the steam pipe for this facility.
