Analysis of a small district steam system at Ft. McClellan, Alabama
An analysis has been done to identify major causes for heat loss from one steam district heating system at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Based on the analysis, the system efficiency (steam delivered to the buildings/steam entering the distribution system) is approximately 53%. Major identified sources of that loss include conduction losses enhanced by the deterioration of the pipe insulation and flooding of valve pits and pipe conduits by the buildup of ground water and condensate after failures of sump pumps. Identified losses account for 24 to 30% of the steam entering the distribution system, but another 16 to 22% of the steam entering the system is not accounted for. Pressure/flow modeling results suggest that most of the unaccounted for losses are caused by enhanced conduction from wet soil conditions and frequent flooding of vaults and pipe. Leaks of prime steam do not appear to be a significant source of loss. Measures recommended to reduce the heat losses include providing better maintenance for sump pumps in vaults and reducing the operating pressure of the steam system. Reducing the operating pressure from 100 psig to 50 psig would reduce heat losses by 15%, and would save the Army an estimated $43,000 per year. Further analysis is needed, however, to show that such a pressure reduction is feasible and to identify any added capital and operating costs that might be incurred in order to allow operation at the reduced pressure (controls, valves, etc.).
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6756207
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8406132-2; ON: DE84014051
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Closed pressurized solar heating system with automatic solar collector drain-down
Installation-wide energy-conservation demonstration at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Final report
Related Subjects
320603* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
ALABAMA
BOILERS
COST
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY LOSSES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION IV
HEAT LOSSES
HEATING
LOSSES
MILITARY FACILITIES
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATING COST
PIPELINES
STEAM GENERATION
STEAM SYSTEMS
THERMAL INSULATION
USA