12
Application
Considerations
Gas Heating Value
The majority of gas heating units are
installed in applications where natural
gas is readily available. In areas where
natural gas is not available, Trane units
may be ordered directly from the
factory for use on LP (propane) gas.
Gas heat content varies by fuel type
and location. The standard gross
heating value for natural gas is 1,000
Btuh per cubic foot; for propane it is
2,500 Btuh per cubic foot. Significant
variations from these standard values
should be taken into account in
equipment selections. To account for
variations in the gross heating value of
the fuel, adjust the total heat input
required and select the unit on the basis
of the adjusted load using the following
formula:
Adjusted load = Calculated load x
Standard gross heat value (Btuh/cu ft)
Actual gross heat value (Btuh/cu ft)
Low Temperature Rise
Trane recommends against the setup of
a unit which will result in a temperature
rise of less than 20 F. With such low
temperature rises, the flue gases
passing through the heat exchanger are
cooled to condensate before reaching
the flue outlet. This condensate is
corrosive and will result in shortened
heat exchanger life.
Air Density
Catalog performance data is based on
elevations up to 2,000 feet (610 m)
above sea level. Above 2,000 feet (610
m), the unit’s heating capacity must be
derated four percent for each 1,000 feet
(305 m) above sea level and special
orifice selections are required. Table
PAF-1 contains correction factors that
can be applied to the unit’s cataloged
heating capacity, fan rpm, and fan bhp
to obtain actual values for elevations
above 2,000 feet (610 m).
Corrosive Atmospheres
Corrosion of heat exchangers and draft
diverters have two basic variables —
moisture (condensation) and sulfur.
These two ingredients form to make
sulfuric acid in the combustion process.
Condensation occurs commonly in
make-up air systems, using large
amounts of fresh air, when air
temperatures entering the heat
exchanger drop to 40 F or below. This
reaction can also occur in recirculating
systems where some quantity of
outside air is introduced upstream
of the exchanger. The sulfur will always
be present as an integral component of
the gas. The resulting concentration of
the acid is governed by the amount of
sulfur in the gas. This concentration
varies from gas to gas and geographically
within the same type of gas.
Beyond sulfuric acid corrosion, there is
the area of chlorinated or halogenated
hydrocarbon vapor corrosion. This type
of corrosion occurs when substances
are mixed with combustion air that will
cause the formation of hydrochloric or
hydrofluoric acid when burned. These
basic substances are found in
degreasers, dry cleaning solvents,
glues, cements, paint removers and
aerosol propellants. Specific chemicals
included in this group are
trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene,
carbon tetrachloride, methylene
chloride, methyl chloroform and
refrigerants 11, 12, 21, 22 and 114.
If sufficient ppm content of these
corrosives is present, none of the
common heat exchanger materials will
hold up. The dilemma becomes whether
to place the gas heating equipment
outside of the area to be conditioned or
use equipment in the space which does
not burn a fuel such as gas (i.e., electric
or hydronic).
Units should not be installed in areas
with corrosive or inflammable
atmospheres. Locations containing
solvents or chlorinated hydrocarbons
will produce corrosive acids when
coming in contact with burner flames.
This reaction will greatly reduce the life
of the heat exchanger and may void
the warranty. For added protection
against heat exchanger corrosion,
optional 409 and 321 stainless steel
construction is available.
On units using outside air, with
entering air temperature below 40 F,
condensation of flue gas in the heat
exchanger is possible. In these cases,
stainless steel heat exchangers are
recommended. An optional 409 or 321
stainless steel heat exchanger is
recommended whenever there is an
evaporative cooler or cooling coil
upstream of the furnace section(s).
Careful review of the job application
with respect to use, probable
contaminants within a conditioned
space and the amount of fresh air to be
brought in will help to make the proper
selection of heat exchanger material.
This review will help to eliminate
problems before they begin.