Steam Pipes
Sitting just outside of “C” shaft along a overgrown ridge lies this interesting discovery. It looked to be a large pipe suspended up in the air by a series of metal frames. Upon closer inspection we found out that it was in fact two pipes (a large one and a smaller one running alongside) and that the pipes exited the hillside through a small concrete tunnel. After running only a short distance up in the air, the pipes then take a sharp turn straight down into the ground where they disappear.
We weren’t exactly sure what theses pipes transported, but my guess is that the big one was for steam. Following in the direction the pipes were headed as the ducked into the concrete tunnel, we found ourselves behind the school. If these were steam pipes, they most likely were once used to feed the school steam for its radiators. It was the only purpose they could be for, unless they were waste or water pipes. My money is on steam.
A closer look at one of the towers holding the pipes up in the air. The towers are held up by concrete footings, that are identical to the footings we found outside of the “B” hoist building. Another reason we think these are steam pipes.
The pipes hang off of the towers on these loops of steel, one for each pipe. The larger pipe which we think carried steam is on the left, to the right is a smaller pipe with an unknown purpose. If these did in fact serve the high schools radiators, then this second pipe might of been a return for the condensed steam (water). Or it might of been a feed pipe just for water. We don’t really know.
A photo of the steam pipe just before it enters the hillside. The pipe is not insulated in any way, so if it was used for steam it would of been pretty hot to the touch. It doesn’t seem very safe, or energy efficient for that matter.
Here is a view of the pipes as the enter the concrete tunnel in the hillside. The tunnel was very similar in design and materials as other larger tunnels we have seen before (most notably the one at Trimountain). Those tunnels were empty however, but might of carried steam pipes like this smaller version here.
At the other end the pipes take a gentle curve downward and straight into the ground. It puzzles me - no matter what type of pipe it was - why the thing was suspended in the air for this short jaunt. Why bury the pipe only to bring it above ground here and then a hundred feet later put it back underground? My only guess is that it has something to do with the hillside we were standing on, and that it was too difficult to lay the pipe underground while at the same time making the elevation change. Maybe some of you out there have a better reason.
We leave you with a photo of the pipe as it drops back into the ground. I’m not sure what the other half-buried pipe was for sitting next door. I assume the pipes went from here to a nearby boiler, where ever that may be. We continue on…
You hit the nail on the head, Copper Range supplied steam to the school for heat from its boiler plant, smaller line is a return line, the potable water for the school was serviced through the city water system.
Joe Dase | July 19, 2007
Sometimes I even amaze myself
explorer | July 19, 2007
Hi Mike: Pipes were most likely wrapped with asbestos and a sheet metal cover. The exposed piping with 90 degree angles provide part of a thermal expansion loop to keep the pipes from cracking due to movement.
Ron Knudsen | July 19, 2007
Ron…
Thanks for the info on the need for the 90 degree turn, it just seemed odd to me but it makes sense now. The pipes seemed to be cast iron or something similar - pretty thick, heavy, and when tapped it made just a thud noise. That thud might mean there is some sort of insulation inside the pipe, like you suggest. That insulation probably doesn’t hold up well to rain and snow so perhaps it was a pipe within a pipe set up so to speak.
explorer | July 20, 2007
A steam expansion is always in the form of a u shape not a long radius ninty degree bend. Boilers and steam pipes grow as they are heated. I have seen large boilers grow eleven inch’s when heated, I’v seen steam line jump out of their hangers, when valves are opened to fast. If the pipes in question are steam lines there should be roller hangers on the pipe stands, not strap hangers, and condensate has to be pumped back to the boiler. If a boiler is running at 250 psi a pump must be capable of pumping 260 psi to get that condensate back in the boiler. I’v read most of your site, and its very good, my best guess is they wasted the condensate( let it drain on the ground) the paper mill at Munising did this up untill ten years ago. It cost alot to trat boiler water now days, thats why they return back to the boiler.
Jim | July 29, 2008
Jim..
Thanks for some expert input, I hadn’t even thought of the need for a pump to return the condensate to the boilers if it was a closed system. It makes perfect sense for the mines to simply waste it like you suggest and get a fresh supply from the nearby reservoir. The second smaller line must be just plain water I suppose. It is rare for steam pipes to be hung up like this, since most run along the ground in shallow trenches. If these aren’t steam pipes I’m not sure what they would be. Perhaps the lack of roller hangers has to do with their age (being built around 1903 or so)?
explorer | July 29, 2008