Limit water velocity in copper pipe to 2 feet per second

[SMD]

Hi,

Engineering Toolbox recommends limiting water velocity in a copper pipe to 2 feet per second if the temperature is above 140F. Does anyone follow this recommendation??

Andrew

 

[E Yoder]

That sounds low to me if you're hoping to purge air.

 

[SMD]

It's very low. According to what I have read, copper is so soft at high temps that water can scour it (especially near joints, where there is more turbulence) causing failure.

 

[E Yoder]

I've never seen it, but it sounds possible. 2-4 fps sounds more normal to me.

 

[Chris Hoskin]

I've heard 4fps more commonly, but 2fps makes sense in a low-loss header or if you are looking to minimize turbulence in a thermal storage tank.