[modeleng] Re: The power of steam

At 04:52 PM 7/20/07 +0100, you wrote:
> What sort of pressure do these steam pipes work at?

Roger,
           Underground steam transmission is common in moderate sized US
cities which have steam generating abilities.   We have a central
generating plant fueled by burning the city's garbage which produces steam,
hot water, and chilled water and is piped to some 50 buildings in the town
center area.
           The pressure in the NY line which burst (installed 1922) was
reported to be 200psi.

>How do they use hot steam to cool apartments?

        I don't know exactly except that cooling is only a matter of compressing
and expanding a recirculating gas . . . . and steam cam power the
compressors.  I remember as a child making regular stops at the "ice house"
where we bought blocks of ice for household use.  The ice was made by
filling concrete chilling pits with water and the cooling system was
ammonia vapor compressed by huge electrically powered reciprocating
compressors.  It was at the same time a fascinating and frightening place
for a child, espcially after once of the icemen asked my dad if he wanted
the Lad put into a 50lb or 100lb block?  :-)


Regards,
Harry Wade
Nashville  Tennessee

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