Copper Tubes - Uninsulated Heat Losses
Heat loss at various temperature differences between pipe and ambient air for 1/2" to 4" copper tubes - or pipes - are indicated below:
Note that it is temperature difference that is used - and that 1 oC of temperature difference equals to 1.8 oF temperature difference.
| Nominal bore | Heat loss for the fluid inside pipe (W/m) | Heat loss for the fluid inside pipe (Btu/hr ft) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature difference (oC) | Temperature difference (oF) | ||||||
| (mm) | (inches) | 22 | 38 | 55 | 40 | 68 | 99 |
| 15 | 1/2 | 21 | 32 | 45 | 22 | 34 | 47 |
| 22 | 3/4 | 28 | 43 | 60 | 29 | 45 | 64 |
| 28 | 1 | 34 | 53 | 76 | 36 | 56 | 79 |
| 35 | 1 1/4 | 41 | 64 | 89 | 43 | 67 | 93 |
| 42 | 1 1/2 | 47 | 74 | 104 | 49 | 77 | 108 |
| 54 | 2 | 59 | 93 | 131 | 62 | 97 | 136 |
| 67 | 2 1/2 | 71 | 111 | 156 | 74 | 116 | 162 |
| 76 | 3 | 83 | 129 | 181 | 87 | 135 | 189 |
| 108 | 4 | 107 | 165 | 232 | 111 | 172 | 241 |
Example - Heat Loss from a 2" Pipe
A 2" pipe with temperature 75 oC (167 oF) is located in a room with temperature 20 oC (68 oF). The temperature difference between the pipe and the ambient room is 55 oC (99 oF).
The heat loss from the pipe to the room can be estimated from the table (or chart) above to 131 W/m.
Related Topics
• Heat Loss and Insulation
Heat loss from pipes, tubes and tanks - with and without insulation - foam, fiberglass, rockwool and more.
• Insulation
Heat transfer and heat loss from buildings and technical applications - heat transfer coefficients and insulation methods to reduce energy consumption.
• Water Systems
Hot and cold water service systems - design properties, capacities, sizing and more.
Related Documents
Arithmetic and Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference
Arithmetic Mean Temperature Difference in Heat Exchangers - AMTD - and Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference - LMTD - formulas with examples - Online Mean Temperature Calculator.
ASTM B280 Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) - Dimensions and Working Pressures
Standard specifications for seamless copper tube used in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Services.
ASTM B302 - Threadless Copper Pipes - Dimensions
Dimensions of threadless copper pipes according ASTM B302.
ASTM B42 - Seamless Copper Pipes - Dimensions
Dimensions of seamless copper pipes according ASTM B42.
ASTM B43 - Seamless Red Brass Pipes - Dimensions
Standard sizes specification for seamless red brass pipes.
ASTM B837 - Seamless Copper Tubes for Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum - Dimensions
Dimensions of seamless copper tubes for natural gas and liquified petroleum.
ASTM B88 - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Dimensions
Water and gas copper tubes according ASTM B88 - type K, L and M - imperial units.
ASTM B88M - Seamless Copper Water Tubes - Metric Dimensions
Water and gas copper tubes according ASTM B88M - type K, L and M - metric units.
BS 2871 Copper Tubes Table X, Y and Z - Working Pressures vs. Size
Working pressures of metric sized copper tubes according the BS (British Standard) 2871.
Copper Tubes - Heat Losses
Heat loss from uninsulated copper tubes vs. temperature differences between tube and air.
Copper Tubes - Pressure Loss vs. Water Flow
Water flow and pressure loss (psi/ft) due to friction in copper tubes ASTM B88 Types K, L and M.
Copper Tubes Supports
Maximum space between supports aand clips for copper tubes.
Copper Tubes Type K - Dimensions and Physical Characteristics
Physical characteristics of copper tubes ASTM B 88 type K.
Copper Tubes Type K, L and M - Working Pressures vs. Size
ASTM B88 seamless copper water tubes - working pressures.
EN 1057 Copper Tubes for Water and Gas in Sanitary and Heating Applications - Dimensions
Dimensions of EN 1057 Copper and copper alloys - Seamless, round copper tubes for water and gas in sanitary and heating applications.
EN 12449 - Copper and Copper Alloys - Seamless, Round Tubes for General Purposes - Dimensions
Dimensions of copper tubes according EN 12449.
Heat Transfer Coefficients in Heat Exchanger Surface Combinations
Average overall heat transmission coefficients for fluid and surface combinations like Water to Air, Water to Water, Air to Air, Steam to Water and more.
Pipes - Insulated Heat Loss Diagrams
Heat loss (W/m) from 1/2 to 6 inches insulated pipes - ranging insulation thickness 10 to 80 mm and temperature differences 20 to 180 oC.
Pipes - Insulated Heat Loss Diagrams
Heat loss (W/ft) diagrams for 1/2 to 6 inches insulated pipes - ranging insulation thickness 0.5 to 4 inches and temperature differences 50 to 350 oF.
Pipes and Cylinders - Conductive Heat Losses
Conductive heat losses through cylinder or pipe walls.
Pipes Submerged in Water - Heat Emission
Heat emision from steam or water heating pipes submerged in water - assisted (forced) or natural circulation.
Solder Joints - Pressure Ratings vs. Temperature
Solder joints and their pressure ratings according ASME B16.18.
Steel Pipes - Heat Loss Diagram
Heat loss from steel pipes and tubes - dimensions 1/2 to 12 inches.