How Much Underground Pipe is Needed to Cool Water from 70°F to 60°F?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the amount of underground pipe needed to cool water from 70°F to 60°F using a flow rate of five gallons per minute. The participants explore the necessary calculations and factors involved in heat transfer, particularly focusing on the properties of the ground and the pipe material.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Jay, seeks assistance in calculating the length of polyethylene pipe required to achieve a specific temperature reduction in water.
  • Another participant, Russ, notes the complexity of the problem due to the need to consider heat capacity and heat transfer capabilities of the ground.
  • A suggestion is made to assume a constant ground temperature for initial estimates, along with a reference to a related thread for basic equations and suggestions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the problem, with no consensus on a straightforward solution or method for calculation. Multiple viewpoints on assumptions and approaches remain present.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumption of constant ground temperature and the potential variability in heat transfer characteristics, which may affect the accuracy of the calculations.

kjsigpa
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Hello everyone, I appreciate any help you can provide me in this project.

Here is what I need to know...

How much pipe (probably some form of poly ethelene) do I need to bury to reduce the temperature of the water inside?

My input temperature should be about 70. Output desired is 60 or so. One inch pipe. Five gallons per minute flow rate. Average underground temperature is about 53.

I need to be able to show the calculations so please show me the formulas and what the variables mean.

Thanks for your time,
Jay
 
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This problem is pretty difficult because it involves accounting for the heat capacity and heat transfer capability of the ground. Except maybe for some rules of thumb on ground source heat pump loops (google for it), it probably doesn't have an easy answer.
 
Thanks Russ,

I am going to have to get through the calculations. Can you help?

Jay
 

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