Plant Freezing at -20C: No Power & 5700 GPM

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SUMMARY

When temperatures drop to -20C after three days at -17C, water in uninsulated pipes can freeze rapidly, especially if the generator fails and pumps stop operating. For a plant with a pumping capacity of 5700 GPM, it is crucial to drain any water that has not yet frozen and leave all faucets open to prevent pressure buildup. Factors such as pipe material, insulation, and environmental conditions significantly influence the freezing rate of water, making precise calculations challenging.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics and heat transfer principles
  • Knowledge of pipe insulation materials and their thermal properties
  • Familiarity with pump operation and water flow rates
  • Basic meteorological concepts related to temperature effects on water
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermal conductivity of different pipe materials
  • Learn about insulation techniques for preventing pipe freezing
  • Investigate emergency power solutions for critical systems
  • Explore methods for measuring water temperature in pipes
USEFUL FOR

Facility managers, HVAC professionals, and anyone involved in maintaining large-scale water systems in cold climates will benefit from this discussion.

Jay cameron
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How fast will water freeze when the outside temp has been -17C for 3 days and my generator blows up so now I don't have power to any pumps and the temp has dipped to -20C
My plant pumps 5700 GPM
 

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If you had asked that question before your pipes cracked, I would have said you need to drain the water from your pipes immediately.
As it is, drain any that have yet to freeze - and leave all faucets open.
 
Jay cameron said:
How fast will water freeze when the outside temp has been -17C for 3 days and my generator blows up so now I don't have power to any pumps and the temp has dipped to -20C
My plant pumps 5700 GPM
5700 GPM seems rather a lot. I take it this isn't for your home.

How quickly water will freeze at X temperature is not an easy question to answer. You need to know the temperature of the water inside the pipe, what kind of pipe, is it insulated, how is the piping arranged, what sort of environmental conditions there are (besides the temperature), the whole schmeer.
 
SteamKing said:
How quickly water will freeze at X temperature is not an easy question to answer. You need to know the temperature of the water inside the pipe, what kind of pipe, is it insulated, how is the piping arranged, what sort of environmental conditions there are (besides the temperature), the whole schmeer.

And even then it is often much easier to measure than to calculate :wink:
 

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