They also used to run uninsulated steam piping through exterior wall cavities.lsayre wrote:I just came across some reading that indicated that a Pick-Up Factor of a whopping 1.56 was commonly assumed prior to about 1945-1950.
Musings on Boiler "Net" Output BTUH and the "Pick-Up Factor"
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Rob R.
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franpipeman
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simply put what is efficiency? If the coal going is value is 1
what part of 1 gets used as heat for humans I would think the for the fm 520 65 percent would be a figure but id like to know what others think considering unburnt coal in ash flue gases etc.
what part of 1 gets used as heat for humans I would think the for the fm 520 65 percent would be a figure but id like to know what others think considering unburnt coal in ash flue gases etc.
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Lightning
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I misunderstood the concept of pick up factor. So basically it's more about the efficiency of the distribution system than it is about the mass material and heating medium, is that right? If the distribution system could be 100% efficient then pick up factor would only happen once at the beginning of the heating season, wouldn't it?
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Pacowy
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Sort of, but the hypothetical of 100% efficiency in the distribution system is no more realistic than it would be to assume 100% efficiency in the structure being heated - you could just shut the windows in September and the house would stay at the same temperature until May. The fact that the distribution system cools off between calls for heat shows that it loses heat (even when it is thoroughly insulated). And it loses heat faster when it has hot water or steam in it than it does between calls. The pickup factor provides a way to account for that when sizing the boiler.
Mike
Mike