steam heating systems

Revere and Ameresco Complete Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Building Management Technology Measures at City Schools
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & REVERE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ameresco announced the completion of a multi-tiered energy services program with the City of Revere, MA. Revere Mayor and DOER Commish join local leaders to commemorate project at ribbon-cutting.
Why do American campus steam systems leak?

It seems that in every large, metropolitan area or college campus I’ve been to has steam wafting out of manholes on cold, crisps days. I understand centralized heating/cooling systems, and that steam quickly condenses when hitting cold air, but why don’t I ever see this in Europe, even though they pipe steam all over their cities! (Even in crustry, rusty eastern Europe I’ve never seen a puff of steam eminating from a grate or manhole.)

Well to begin with, it may not be steam leaks that you see.

Many manholes are from the storm drains or sewer systems. The air and water in these systems tends to be closer to ground temperature than the ambient air temperature. As the water vapor leaks out of the edges of the manhole covers, it is cooled and forms water vapor that is visible. As you said, this occurs on cold crisp days when the air is extra cool compared to the ground. You can see a similar event on lakes and ponds as the water vapor from the water is condensed by the very cool air.

I suspect there are similar occurrences in Europe, it would be interesting to see if anyone can verify this.

As to steam leaks, anyone who has ever worked around a steam system knows that there are small leaks all the time. Steam is very hard to contain and the smallest leak shows.

Steam Pipe Elbow Replaced–Disaster Averted at 1209

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