Year: 2000
Type: article
Abstract: The failed PVC pipe was sent to Materials Performance Inc for testing. Short and long-term mechanical properties were compared for a section from the failed pipe and a new PVC pipe. Results on both tests indicate that the mechanical properties for the failed pipe were similar to that of a new PVC pipe. The possibility of defective PVC pipe material that caused the failure was ruled out. Several pressure transmitters were installed in various locations throughout the chilled water loop. Monitoring of the chilled water loop pressure did not show unusual water pressure in the loop. During the course of this investigation, it was found from the building automation system that the failed section of the PVC pipe was located closed to a chilled water pump which had been accidentally deadheading for over 52 hours prior to the second failure. It is concluded that the failure of the PVC pipe was caused by high temperature inside the pipe as a result of pump deadheading. This conclusion is strengthened by high chilled water temperature measured (170°F) after similar chilled water pump deadheading situations occurred in buildings at Texas A&M recently.
Authors: Wei Gao, S. Deng, D. E. Claridge, William D. Turner
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2287165050
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