Photo Gallery: Condenser Water
Evaporative condenser water systems are common to any larger building property and are critically important to air conditioning needs. Various forms of system exist including those that serve large central refrigeration plants, smaller individual package units on each floor, and at some types of heat pump systems. Corrosion activity is typically higher for condenser water pipe due to many different factors, and depending upon piping design and other factors, can cause serious failures and operational difficulties within just a few years.
Virtually all condenser water systems are constructed of standard pipe when 8 in. and larger, and standard schedule 40 pipe for all smaller sizes. Below 3 in., most pipe is threaded, which then removes approximately 50% of its pipe wall; in turn greatly reducing its service life. Under the generally higher corrosion rates common today, this combination of limited wall thickness and higher corrosion activity then produces only limited service. With the many factors influencing such piping systems, a service life of under 20 years for any threaded pipe is common, and as corrosion activity increases beyond 5 MPY, expected service plummets to around 10 years or less.
Although there is substantially greater wall thickness available for any pipe 8 in. and larger, those too become more vulnerable as corrosion activity increases.
The below Photo Gallery provides some evidence to the problems we have documented. Additional photographs are available under various other specific headings.
