Field Measurements of Heat Losses from Three Types of Heat Distribution Systems

The actual level of heat losses from operating heat distribution systems is not well known. The effect of the type of distribution system and the length of time in service in heat losses are also not known, and methods used to calculate heat losses have not been adequately verified. This report describes a field project at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, which addresses these needs. At Ft. Jackson three different types of systems have been instrumented: shallow concrete trench, steel conduit with supply and return in common conduit, and separate conduits for supply and return pipes. The heat losses from these systems are being monitored using several methods. Data have been collected from these sites for over four years, and some of the initial results are presented.