How Much Surface Area Can a 200kW Generator Heat in a Steel Pipe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the heating capacity of a 200kW generator when applied to a steel pipe, specifically aiming to achieve an internal temperature of 80°C for oil transfer. Participants explore the calculations necessary to determine the surface area that can be heated, considering various factors such as flow rate, pipe dimensions, and material properties.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant emphasizes that the power requirement for heating oil in the pipe is influenced by the flow rate and suggests calculating the power needed to achieve a specific temperature change at that flow rate.
  • Another participant proposes simplifying the problem by considering a scenario without oil, likening it to an electric oven, but expresses difficulty in calculating the heated area.
  • A request for more detailed geometry and requirements is made, noting that the heat transfer characteristics differ significantly between still air and flowing oil.
  • Specific material properties of the pipe are provided, including dimensions and thermal characteristics, but the participant indicates uncertainty regarding the length of the pipe needed.
  • Concerns are raised about calculating the length or surface area based solely on the generator's power without accounting for the cooling effects of the flowing oil, which could lead to insufficient heating capacity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing views regarding the factors that must be considered in the calculations and the implications of different scenarios (with or without oil).

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on flow rate, the need for detailed geometric specifications, and the potential impact of convective heat transfer coefficients on the calculations.

nurtas
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Hi everyone,
I need your help.
Currently working on the task.
Normally have a power generator of 200kW, 380V
I need to heat up the steel pipe by means of resistance, so that I will have inside temperature of the pipe 80C. The function of pipe is to transfer, heat the oil.
As a first step of this question, I have to calculate how much area can this power generator heat up.
If you have any idea, can you help me please,
Regards,
Nurtas
 
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If you are heating oil in the pipe, the power requirement is going to depend heavily on the flow rate through the pipe. Look at the power required to heat the oil to a given [tex]\Delta[/tex]T at a specific flow rate. You will then need to balance the velocity of the oil in the pipe and the residency time of the oil in the pipe. That will give you the length of pipe you will be using. Then you have to add the power required to heat that amount of pipe to that value to get your overall power requirement (in a perfect world).
 
ok

Ok, let's think that there is no oil, the only i have to calculate how much area I can heat with so much power.i think this will be the analogue of the electric oven.The problem is now i am not able to calculate the area, i know the pipe/material characteristics, I am just stuck on.
 
Please describe the geometry (pipe dimensions and materials, location of current leads) and requirements (what length of pipe do you wish to heat) in more detail. The numbers for still air will turn out to be completely different from the numbers for flowing oil (huge difference in convective heat transfer coefficient).
 
Last edited:
Material is carbon steel, OD:3.5 in, thickness:0.398 in, Specific heat:105 kCal/kg C, thermal conductivity:360,
generator is:200kW
I don't know the length, as you know length and resistance are directly proportional.
 
If you calculate the length/surface area of the pipe using 200 kW as the input power without taking into account the cooling effects of the flowing oil, you're going to be making your pipe too long and the power available will not be enough to get the pipe to the desired temperature.
 

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