How to design steam buried pipelines
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Recently, I encountered an office building that uses steam heating. Passing by the fire truck training area, it was not possible to install the pipes overhead; therefore, we planned to bury them at a depth of 1 meter, which meant that only valve chambers could be created. The ditches in the vicinity are only 500 mm deep. Are there any measures to take to ensure that the pipes and valves remain dry inside these valve chambers?
Please help me broaden my thinking; feel free to share any ideas you have. After all, it’s just steam; there’s no need to worry about drainage. It’s just a little condensation that forms when the pipes are heated – what requirements could there be for its natural absorption?
Regarding explanations such as whether it is good or bad for valves in valve chambers to be submerged in water, I attended lectures given by cathodic protection experts from the Pipeline Bureau a few months ago. Internationally, there are generally two viewpoints, both of which are quite common nowadays: 1. When pipelines and valves are under cathodic protection (i.e., they are well-protected), whether the valves are submerged in water does not affect their corrosion resistance, but proper corrosion protection measures are still necessary； It only affects the operation. 2. If cathodic protection is not properly implemented, then it is necessary to create a water collection pit at the bottom of the valve chamber, with the water being pumped out regularly. Currently, both approaches are in use