underground air lines
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Cross SC
underground air lines
I need to run some pipe from my shop to a garage for an air line. They will be welded up joints and in need to rust proof it, anyway I'm going to use galvanise pipe and use a good galvanise paint on the welded joints but I don't think that will be enough. What do you all think.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Roscommon,Michigan
Hey Smitty7,
I'd rethink the galvaized pipe for air.The reason they don't use it for gas is because the zinc can flake off and lodge in gas jets.This could also be a problem with compressed air supplys, too. I'd opt for a half inch COPPER line.I'd also install it on an angle just like a sewer pipe.at its lowest point,place a TEE facing down.Put two ELLs on the TEE to form a U shape with another pipe to the surface.Put a shutoff valve on this pipe so you can clear the condensed water out of the pipe.If you put an intercooler and a drier on the compressor end,you might be able to do away with the drain,but I'd still install it!
I was assuming you'd be using this setup a lot.If your painting and using air tools,you absolutely don't water and foreign particals in your air!
Ken
I'd rethink the galvaized pipe for air.The reason they don't use it for gas is because the zinc can flake off and lodge in gas jets.This could also be a problem with compressed air supplys, too. I'd opt for a half inch COPPER line.I'd also install it on an angle just like a sewer pipe.at its lowest point,place a TEE facing down.Put two ELLs on the TEE to form a U shape with another pipe to the surface.Put a shutoff valve on this pipe so you can clear the condensed water out of the pipe.If you put an intercooler and a drier on the compressor end,you might be able to do away with the drain,but I'd still install it!
I was assuming you'd be using this setup a lot.If your painting and using air tools,you absolutely don't water and foreign particals in your air!
Ken
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Major problem:
How are you going to drain the line of water when it's buried in the ground? Water will find the lowest spot so eventually the entire length of pipe will fill up with water because you can't drain it.
We have underground lines at college & the entire system is just about useless because of it.
How are you going to drain the line of water when it's buried in the ground? Water will find the lowest spot so eventually the entire length of pipe will fill up with water because you can't drain it.
We have underground lines at college & the entire system is just about useless because of it.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Moscow PA
underground air lines
You didn't say how far the line has to run, but I would consider running pvc as a conduit to carry the air lines underground and thusly insulate them from corrosion, frost heave etc.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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The water problem is solved in Huffer's post above. With the setup he outlines you can blow out the trap periodically.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
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Just curious, why are you going to weld them? There is no problem with running galv underground for for air, just filter at other end. For screwed joints coat them with roofing bull.
Last edited by Sberry27; Mar 16, 2004 at 11:41 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Cross SC
Thanks, everyone for all of the ideas. I was going to use welded pipe because I'm a old pipe welder and I've got a bunch of 3/4" sch 40 pipe, but I was worried about rust. I like your idea, Huffer of heavywall copper pipe plus I had considered how to drain it. Now I think it might be cheaper and less bothersome to just buy a smaller compressor for the garage since it's over 100 ft from the shop to the garage. Anyway I appreicate all of you alls help.
Thanks
Smitty
Thanks
Smitty
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From: Waterbury, CT.
I would get a roll of 5/8" Enviro tubing,(5/8 copper K tubing with a heavy plastic jacket on it.) Roll it out, and call it a day. A 20 or 30 gallon booster tank in the garage would be a good idea also.
If you want to put steel pipe in the ground, then a 'Mag-bag' would provide the proper cathodic protection to help fight the rust. We use Mag-bags on underground LP tank installs. A 15 pounder would be sufficient for a 100 foot run of 3/4 inch black steel pipe. Weld it on at the center, and bury it a few feet to the side of the line run.
If you want to put steel pipe in the ground, then a 'Mag-bag' would provide the proper cathodic protection to help fight the rust. We use Mag-bags on underground LP tank installs. A 15 pounder would be sufficient for a 100 foot run of 3/4 inch black steel pipe. Weld it on at the center, and bury it a few feet to the side of the line run.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: MN
Definatley run it inside a conduit of some type. My uncle runs all his water pipes on the farm this way. If they freeze or leak, it is very easy to repair them in comparison to digging them up. A good air filter/ drier unit right after the compressor could cut down on moisture in the pipe. Valving off this line when it is not in use will cut down on moisture too.
