For a service station boiler 28 feet from the meter using natural gas, what size K or L semi-rigid copper tubing is required to supply 205 cu. ft. of gas per hour?

To determine the correct size of K or L semi-rigid copper tubing required to supply 205 cubic feet of natural gas per hour from a meter located 28 feet away, we must consider both the gas flow requirements and the pressure drop that occurs over the distance of the tubing run.

The size of the tubing must be sufficient to allow the required gas volume to flow without experiencing excessive pressure loss, which could restrict the flow and adversely affect the performance of the appliances using the gas. In this scenario, a flow rate of 205 cubic feet per hour is relatively significant, and the distance of 28 feet indicates that the pressure drop needs to be carefully managed.

A 1-inch diameter K or L semi-rigid copper tubing is appropriate for carrying this volume of natural gas over that distance. This size ensures that the tubing can accommodate the required flow rate while keeping the pressure drop within acceptable limits, allowing optimal efficiency for the gas appliances involved.

Smaller sizes, such as ½" or ¾", would not provide sufficient capacity to deliver 205 cubic feet per hour without exceeding the allowable pressure drop, which could compromise the system’s effectiveness. In contrast, a larger size, such as 1¼", while it could also carry the gas,