Calculating k Values for Pipe Insulation

By Russell Peterson & Chris Mabey

Water Heater for the Developing World

• Minimize heat loss in pipes outside of the fire

Problem

• Find out if clothing would be a good insulator for pipes on the water heater.

• Compare the k values for clothing to those of an emergency blanket and foam pipe insulation.

Problem Setup

Plastic Bottle

InsulationTwaterTsurroundings

Measured Temperatures and Transient Conduction Model to determine h

Measured Temperatures and Lumped Capacitance Model to determine h

Calculations

Conclusion

• Calculated k values• Pipe Insulation= 0.0212• Shirt = 0.0015• Emergency Blanket= 3.84 e -5

• Clothes have a good k value but they need to be thick to provide adequate insulation

• Emergency blanket is an excellent insulator but would be difficult to obtain in developing countries.