Application of vacuum to building steam heating system

[Len]

Do any of the steam heating systems in your campus buildlings apply vacuum to improve efficiency and/or regulate temperature through variation in pressure? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Len Phillips, Dir of Bus Dev
IDEA
508-366-9339

[James R. Adams]

Hi Len - We minimize our campus steam pressure based on attaining a certain set point at the far end of the system.  Not sure this is an example of what you are looking for.  

Jim Adams

Sent from my iPad

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[Len Phillips]

Jim,

Are you using vacuum to reduce the steam pressure or simply a PRV or a productive parasitic element like a microturbine or tiny steam recip (like Stan Gent is working with at Seattle)?

 

Many thanks,

Len

Leonard A. Phillips

Director of Business Development

International District Energy Association

24 Lyman Street--Suite 230

Westborough MA 01581

508-366-9339

[Stephen Little]

Hi Len,

Vacuum steam heat was very common in the 1920-1950's. It offered reduced line losses, lower boiler pressure/ temperatures and a quiet steam system in the building. As these systems aged it became impossible to hold the vacuum. The vacuum pumps ran all the time and required high maintenance, or the steam ejectors wasted lots of energy. The cure was to operate at atmospheric or very low pressure. The upshod was higher temperatures, loss of efficiencies, increased noise and higher maintenance.

Overall steam heat got a bad reputation as folks forgot what a well designed system could do.

Direct steam building heat is now effectively a lost art. And it probably will never compete with hot water due to the higher maintenance, corrosion issues and general "fussiness".