This week we take a look at the vacuum breaker on a steam-to-water heat exchanger. Steam-to-water heat exchangers, or steam heating coils with on-off …
Why Use Low Steam Pressure: Steam Heat Exchanger Basics Part 2
A recent engineering graduate asked a question about reducing steam pressure before using the steam for heating and domestic water heat exchangers: Why do you …
Understanding Steam and Steam Heat Exchangers: Part 1
Steam heating systems are a bit of a mystery for many engineers and contractors. Much of the “old school” knowledge on steam heat exchangers retired …
Condensing Boiler Venting Material (Part 2)
Proper venting of hydronic condensing boilers is critical for the safety of occupants and the successful operation of the heating plant. Part one of this two-part series …
Hydronic and Steam Heating Pressure Relief Valves
The pressure relief valve or pressure safety valve is the last line of defense when a steam or water heating system is in trouble. This …
Water Side Economizers Part 11: Summary of Design Thoughts
We can conclude the series on waterside economizers with a summary of suggestions for the engineer to consider. ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standards require this energy-saving …
Water Side Economizers Part 8: The Heat Exchanger Approach
The gasketed plate heat exchanger and the capacities it should be scheduled at is the subject of today’s blog. The first seven parts of this …
Waterside Economizers Part 7: Tower Side Temperatures
The waterside economizer is normally a gasketed plate heat exchanger. There is chilled water on one side and cooling tower water on the other side …
Water Side Economizers Part 3: Cooling Tower Temperatures
Many northern state energy codes require economizers for chilled water systems. Waterside economizers per ASHRAE 90.1-2013 and 2010 shall provide up to 100% of the …
Free Cooling Heat Exchangers (Part One)
The ASHRAE young engineers heard about the free cooling system in the recent tour of the DTE Vantage Dearborn Central Energy Plant. The free cooling …