<DrumBeat: February 12, 2009 The Oil Drum Mission Earth>

39 comments on Kern River Production Estimates versus What is Economic

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version

Gail the Actuary on February 12, 2009 - 4:47pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

We were told that the pipes with the big loops are steam pipes, and the loops are to permit expansion and contraction. I am sure there could be other functions as well.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
MacDuff on February 12, 2009 - 5:16pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

That makes sense too - thanks Gail

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
geek7 on February 12, 2009 - 11:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

_All_ long runs of pipe on the surface in the Calif. desert require loops. The problem that is mitigated by the loops is expansion and contraction of the pipe due to temperature changes. Hot in the daytime Sun. Cold in the desert night. Of course, the steam pipes are not _always_ hot. They do have to provide for the contraction that must happen when they do maintenance on the boilers, or when there is a boiler breakdown. Mostly the loops lay horizontally. If they are vertical that might be because of something to do with steam condensation, but I doubt it. Water in the line would best be handled by having downward pointing Tees where it can collect and be bleed off.

BTW, I think I have seen such loops in refinery pipes in New Jersey.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

39 comments on Kern River Production Estimates versus What is Economic

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version