[Mr. Lucky]

For those of us who are challenged by applied mathematics (calculating proof strength of distillates marks the outer boundary of my skills), what kind of volume will a 3/4 inch diameter line flow at 1/2 lb. of pressure over, say, an hour? What's the energy content of that volume?

Your anxious student,

Mr. Lucky

[virgil283]

what kind of volume will a 3/4 inch diameter line flow at 1/2 lb. of pressure over, say, an hour? What's the energy content of that volume?...OK 3/4" sch40 pipe at say 50 foot length would be 151,000 btus/hour...as a rule of thumb gasoline is about 125,000 btus per liquid gallon and natural gas per liquid gallon would be around 75,000 btus

[thackney]

For those of us who are challenged by applied mathematics (calculating proof strength of distillates marks the outer boundary of my skills), what kind of volume will a 3/4 inch diameter line flow at 1/2 lb. of pressure over, say, an hour? What's the energy content of that volume?

Limits of flow rates are based upon how much pressure drop a system can handle. Maximum for low pressure gas often would be considered 1" H2O or 0.036 psi for 100 feet or so. This allows 147,000 BTU/Hr. Within a couple percentage points, that is 147 standard cubic feet of natural gas.

See table A3.4 page A-6:
http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/oregon/08_residential/PDFs/Appendix%20A_Sizing%20and%20Capacities%20of%20Gas%20Piping.pdf

These units have been installed at homes without any upgrades to the home supply system for years. They are not commercial grade units; these are slow flow that fill overnight.

[thackney]

Sorry virgil283, I meant to send this to Mr. Lucky.

This allows 147,000 BTU/Hr. Within a couple percentage points, that is 147 standard cubic feet of natural gas.

I should have added, the manufactures web site linked above states the fill rate is 1.2 standard cubic meters per hour or 0.59 cubic feet per minute or 35.4 cubic feet per hour.