SMI Impact

The modulating PRV station will save the hospital over $14,000 annually

The system will generate 8,000 therms of natural gas savings and pay for itself within three months

The site will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 41.4 Metric Tons or 45,765 pounds of coal burned

Customer

A 313-bed medical care facility located in a historic district in Birmingham, Alabama. The facility provides acute tertiary medical and surgical care to veterans of Alabama and surrounding states.

Conditions

The medical care pipes 140 psi of steam to the 10th floor mechanical room and then reduces it to 15 psi through a PRV station. The PRV station supplies a primary low-pressure steam header distributing steam to (5) heating zones throughout the facility. This steam header supplies steam to equipment primarily used as building heating load. One exception is a mini-pack domestic water heater in the Penthouse Mechanical Room.

Problem

The steam pressure is maintained at a level that is not needed for most of the days throughout the year resulting in decreased efficiency. The set pressure remains constant and does not change resulting in more steam available than what is typically needed.

Solution

The solution was to install a new pressure reducing valve and digital controls package that will automatically modulate the steam pressure based on building heating load demands. The modulating PRV system will automatically adjust the pressure of the low-pressure steam system throughout the year from 3 psi to 13 psi based on the heating demands of the facility. Savings are realized when the pressure is reduced, and subsequently, the heat losses on thousands of feet of steam piping are reduced.

Key Actions

Identify the opportunity and determine the savings potential
Develop construction grade scope and savings calculations
Turnkey installation of all mechanical, electrical and control systems
Development of set back schedule to deliver steam at appropriate pressures based on the building load heating demands and outdoor temperature

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(800) 731-0131 ext. 701 | info@steammgt.com