The issue of whether circulating water pipes should be buried or installed above ground
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The issue of whether to bury or install circulating water pipes above ground is a common question in project planning and design: is it better to bury the circulating water pipes or have them installed above ground? I’ve been very confused; when visiting large petrochemical and chemical companies, I see both types present. I would appreciate it if experts could share their relevant experience and knowledge. Thank you in advance!
More are buried, with fewer being overhead.
Burying the circulating water pipes underground reduces construction costs; proper anti-corrosion measures are necessary； If pipeline construction involves both buried and overhead installations, it is highly recommended to use the overhead option. In our factory, there is a circulating water pipeline that consists of 4 sections buried underground and 3 sections above ground; the pressure difference at the inlets and outlets of this pipeline is virtually zero.
It is necessary to take into account both the pipe diameter and the distance； Construction costs and subsequent operation and maintenance costs.
There are advantages and disadvantages depending on the needs, which should be considered comprehensively. It’s fictional; it’s used for maintenance purposes, but it takes up space and presents freezing issues in cold regions ； Buried installation: saves space and is frost-resistant. But it is not conducive to maintenance. But most are buried underground.
The last edit to this post was made by ds66616 on 2018-10-7 at 17:50. Aside from these reasons, in my opinion, the main circulating water pipes are generally quite large in diameter. From an engineering installation perspective, installing them overhead requires higher standards for utility tunnels and results in higher costs; therefore, burying them is a more suitable option, provided that proper anti-corrosion measures are taken. It’s not a problem to install the branch circulating water pipes overhead, depending on the actual conditions on site
Hollow structures are advocated nowadays, but they are not suitable in the north.
The branch pipes are mostly elevated, and there are many control devices such as valves, which facilitates construction and maintenance； The main pipe is usually buried underground, which saves space and eliminates the need for frequent maintenance
In previous years, burial was the predominant method used in engineering projects. However, in cases of renovation projects or new constructions in existing areas, it is common to encounter issues such as existing high-voltage cable trenches and buried pipelines underground, which prevent a buried installation; as a result, a section of the pipeline has to be installed above ground. From an economic perspective, the cost of burying it is low; the key is to ensure proper anti-corrosion measures and proper treatment of the lower part of the pipeline, as well as keeping accurate records of the concealed work, which makes it a good option. When underground conditions prevent burial, an overhead installation is the only option. The advantage of this approach is that measuring instruments such as flow meters are easy to install, valves are convenient to maintain, and piping work is also simpler.
Whether to bury it or install it overhead depends on the actual circumstances. When burying underground, the impact of settlement must also be considered. Elevated structures with conditions in place are relatively more conducive to daily maintenance and repairs. Burying it means less use of ground space; the choice should be made based on the actual circumstances, as it generally has little impact on usage.