| Title | By | Posted On |
| Chiller Pipes: Condensation. |
manuel-thermoimagen |
8/14/2009 |
Hi there.
well, now, i bring here a condensation issue. would like to hear from expertise.
situation is the images shows. brand new instalation is showing condensation profile at pipes insulation. supervisor says that some inside areas personal sometimes feels how dripping fall out over their heads.
i now this is a big problem. would like to know how this scenario has to be repaired. technician will need to remove all the piping insulation and install brand new one???..
regards |
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| Re:Chiller Pipes: Condensation. |
Bob Berry |
8/14/2009 |
| I'm not sure that I agree with your conclusion that this is simply condensation. I would think it is a leak, or an insulation problem. The condensation you are getting on the outside is due to a local section of the surface being colder (below dewpoint). The condensation is likely to be a symptom, not a cause. Strip the insulation off and have a look at it. |
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| Re:Chiller Pipes: Condensation. |
ron lucier |
9/8/2009 |
It is indeed condensation and not a leak. You can go into virtually any machine space with chillers and find this. By definition the supplied chilled water will be below the dew point and any moisture in the air contacting this surface will condense. The best way to fix this is to strip off all this type of insulation and replace it with sprayed on neoprene insulation. If you allow any air to contact this cold surface water will condense!
Also, sample the insulation and you will find mold! |
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| Re:Chiller Pipes: Condensation. |
Scott Wood Associates |
10/11/2009 |
| Based on what I've seen in mechanical rooms I concur with Ron. In high humid areas I see this problem more often. Even in new building I’ve seen the issue which can be reduced by “sealing” to cold chiller line as Ron mentioned with a spray on vapor barrier material. We sometimes forget that there are three modes of heat transfer (radiation, conduction and convection). Vapor movement or air movement through the insulation or around it at breaks in the insulation result in condensation and build up of moisture within the insulation, increasing the conduction from the warmer room to the cold pipe, showing the patterning as in your thermogram. The image is showing 10 or more degree C difference not achievable by evaporative cooling alone. |
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| Re:Chiller Pipes: Condensation. |
fazlye |
2/23/2010 |
hi bob, i definitely agree with both ron and scott, this is a condensation. the best thing is that you stripped oof the current insulation and install a new one, a sprayed on insulation. and dont be surprise to see more of this in your pant ropom, its a common problem in a plant room having chilled water pipe.
All the best |
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