never lived in large city and cannot think of its purpose in age of modern hvac.
2007-07-19 12:20:35 · 6 answers · asked by Phil Deese 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I believe that they mostly carry away steam that has been through generator turbines at power plants and does not have enough temperature and pressure be used efficiently in another turbine. In winter the remaining heat is used to heat buildings. In summer the heat is wasted and the water is returned to b reheated at the power plant. Some steam may actually be used to operate air conditioners.
2007-07-19 13:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by EE68PE 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Millions of pounds of steam are pumped beneath New York City streets every hour, heating and cooling thousands of buildings, including the Empire State Building.
The steam pipes are sometimes prone to rupture, however. In 1989, a gigantic steam explosion ripped through a street, killing three people and sending mud and debris several stories into the air.
That explosion was caused by a condition known as "water hammer," the result of condensation of water inside a steam pipe.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
2007-07-19 23:30:29 · answer #2 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They said those things have been around since 1920 so the purpose of steam pipes running through buildings is to keep them warm.
2007-07-19 19:24:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Air conditioning - Steam powered. Seriously. See attached link. It is a practical way of providing heating and air conditioning. Commonly done in large buildings in the North.
2007-07-19 22:32:22 · answer #4 · answered by rrohret2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's to heat buildings.... especially the old ones.
2007-07-19 19:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mike 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steam pipes are the cost of bridges.
HVAC is what taxis cost.
2007-07-19 19:26:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋