![]() As mentioned previously, central boiler plant can take advantage of low interruptible fuel tariffs, something which is not possible for decentralised gas systems which use a constant supply of premium rate fuel.įlash steam and condensate can be recovered and returned to the boiler or used on low pressure applications with minimal losses. Water is plentiful and inexpensive, and steam boilers are highly efficient because they extract a large proportion of the energy contained within the fuel. ![]() Lower pressure steam can also be produced from the condensate in a flash vessel, and used in low pressure applications such as space heating This can significantly reduce the boiler fuel and water treatment costs, because the water is already treated and at a high temperature. On an operational level, condensate produced by a manufacturing process can be returned to the boiler feedtank. It can be used for space heating over large areas, and for many complex manufacturing processes. The energy given to the process is easy to control using two-port valves, due to the direct relationship between temperature and pressure. As steam is a pure fluid, it can be injected directly into the product or made to surround the product being heated. It does not create a temperature gradient along the heat transfer surface, unlike water and thermal oils, which means that it may provide more consistent product quality. It has a high heat content and gives up its heat at a constant temperature. Managers need answers to the following questions: All these issues are considered during the design and manufacture of steam plant. Environmental controls are increasingly stringent, even to the extent that organisations have to consider the costs and methods of disposing of plant before it is installed. Companies continue to choose steam because it is generated with high levels of fuel efficiency. The use of steam is environmentally responsible. What does using steam say about the company? They can grow with the company and be altered to meet changing business objectives. ![]() ![]() Steam systems are flexible and easy to add to. It is not as easy to cater for all these needs with a water system. This means that a single high pressure boiler can suit the needs of all applications around the hospital, for example, heating of wards, air humidification, cooking of food in large quantities and sterilisation of equipment. Using a hospital as an example, steam is ideal because it can be generated centrally at high pressure, distributed over long distances and then reduced in pressure at the point of use. It can be used for space heating of large areas, for complex processes and for sterilisation purposes. If a steam system is installed, how can the most use be made of it? Sophisticated energy monitoring equipment will ensure that the plant remains energy efficient and has a low manning requirement.Īll these factors in combination mean that a steam system enjoys a low lifetime cost. This dramatically cuts the cost of manning the plant. Modern steam plant, from the boiler house to the steam using plant and back again, can be fully automated. Steam equipment typically enjoys a long life - figures of thirty years or more of low maintenance life are quite usual. The boiler can even be fuelled by waste, or form part of a state-of-the-art Combined Heat and Power plant. How will the operating and maintenance costs of a steam system affect overhead costs?Ĭentralised boiler plant is highly efficient and can use low interruptible tariff fuel rates. The high efficiency of steam plant means it is compact and makes maximum use of space, something which is often at a premium within plant.įurthermore, upgrading an existing steam system with the latest boilers and controls typically represents 50% of the cost of removing it and replacing it with a decentralised gas fired system. This means the system is simpler and less expensive than, for example, a high temperature hot water system. It does not require costly pumps or balancing, and only two-port valves are required. What kind of capital investment does a steam system represent?Ī steam system requires only small bore pipes to satisfy a high heat requirement. ![]() Chief executives and senior management want answers to the following questions: ![]()
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