the reaction products are transported at ambient temperature (40°C). Also, the energy conversion efficiency (Rankine plant efficiency) increases as the fluid temperature increases. The release of energy in the chemical transport concept occurs at a temperature somewhat below the forward reaction temperature and is estimated to be about 540°C. A critical factor in the estimation of pipe network system costs is the installation cost of the piping. This includes costs of shop welds and field welds, pipe supports, handling, installation and testing. The minimum installation cost for a very small pipe is $9.75 per foot and increases as the pipe size increases. Installation versus pipe size and the pipe material cost for carbon steel pipe are taken from Reference 1, Monthly Report No. 4. The pipe material cost for low alloy steel is considered to be four times more costly than carbon steel pipe, and stainless steel pipe cost is considered to be a factor of twelve more costly than carbon steel pipe. The data used to estimate the cost of an installed pipe is described in Figure 11. These data represent a linearized approximation of pipe installed cost ($/ft) versus nominal pipe diameter for the three considered pipe types. In Regime 1 the cost versus pipe size is linear up to pipe diameter Dcrl-t» as might be expected. For pipe sizes larger than D the slope abruptly increases and the cost is modeled by another linearized equation. This second regime probably reflects additional equipment and manpower required to handle and move the larger and heavier pipes. For example, the cost of an installed 2 in. diameter pipe made of carbon, low alloy and stainless steel is $10/ft, $14/ft and $28/ft, respectively; while the cost of an 8 in. pipe is $21/ft, $Sl/ft and $72/ft, respectively. In general, the analytical technique developed in this study minimizes network pipe costs while considering piping heat leak and pumping power. An overriding
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==