district steam

jumper

Interesting article at <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-27/why-district-steam-heat-flopped-in-gilded-age-new-york.html">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-27/why-district-steam-heat-flopped-in-gilded-age-new-york.html</a>



I once worked on the possibilities of mini districts. A handful of adjacent buildings sharing one boiler room.

RJ_4

city steam

While working in San Fran. I worked in a lot of old hotel, apt bldg's and commercial bldgs that utililized what was called city steam. The steam being generated by large boiler complexes located around the city, than transmitted under the streets at high press. the lines would go into the basements of bldg's and into press. reducing regulators, Most systems were 2 pipe with the condensate return lines piped into a cond. meter.  the meters were quite clever, they used a device that resembled a minature water wheel to meter the cond. used. Over the years private co's bought the systems. This became an alternative to bldg owners who had old boilers that were in need of replacement. I am sure this system is currently in use in other cities, It was just quite an experience to get to work around all the regulators, piping and valves

SWEI

Nice piece

I've been looking at mini districts for awhile and think they have great potential.  Small, tight houses just don't have a lot of equipment options here in the US.

Jamie Hall

Seems to me

that I recall that, desite Holly's failure, district steam heat is used still to some extent in New York... I have a vague recollection that the big ConEd generator on the east side at about 35th st., for instance, serves at least some buildings in that area.  Can someone enlighten me?



That said, district steam has a lot going for it, but is not wholly maintenance free!  Any more than any steam heat system is.  But it's great on things lilke college campuses and the like, where it is possible to have a central maintenance function.

BobC

In Boston

It's still being used in Boston. This article concerns one supplier but I know it's also used in South Boston, I worked in large a building (Boston P&DC) where they use it for heat and hot water.



http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2011/04/04/in_green_era_an_old_idea_gains_steam/



Bob

Gordo

District Steam Alive and Well in Baltimore

The downtown district in Baltimore is heated with steam (mostly).  It was one of the first "green" (i.e. smoke free) systems around at the time.  The District Heating Handbook of 1951 brags about this.



In the newer buildings, it is used to heat water and that is pumped about.  There is often a "BTU" meter on the inlet of the steam line.  Not sure how they work.



In some of the older buildings, the steam is used directly and the resulting condensate is run through a water meter before being dumped into the storm drain system.  That is partly why the inner harbor of Baltimore never freezes over.



The incoming steam pressure is reduced through pressure reducing valves before being used.  It comes in at either 130psi (high pressure) or 35psi (so-called "low" pressure).  Usually when we of  All Steamed Up first walk in to a PRV area, the valves are found to be set to deliver steam to the system at 10 psi or so!



"It's always been that way...that's what the guys from (insert latest name for the steam utility - BGE, Baltimore Thermal, Trigen, Violia, etc etc.) set it at."



"Yeah,  um,  we think we can start to solve your water hammer and high fuel bill problems today if you let us."

jumper

district hot air ?

The project I was involved in produced meetings & reports. Lots of enthusiasm but never a final decision. TorontoHydro had an exclusive to sell steam but was unable to commit to 24/7 availability with no minimum demand. Or for more than a few years. City of Toronto owns airspace but CityEngineer couldn't deliver a permanent easement. Aerco representative was keen to sell steam to water exchangers but twenty year warranty ? Seemed like new issues would never end.



Eventually one factory got some steam from its neighbor and its boiler employees switched jobs.

SWEI

Toronto

Also has an impressive deep water district cooling system.

Ban

Detroit has district steam

The system was dire nearly 15 years ago and the energy company was subsidizing steam boilers to be installed for anyone on lines they wanted to close or were deteriorated. Fortunately a company formed called Detroit thermal has been working to renovate and establish new lines.



http://www.detroitthermal.com/

SWEI

Don't forget Seattle

http://www.seattlesteam.com/about-district-energy.htm

John Mills_5

Indy

Allegedly the 2nd largest behind NYC.



Big nasty coal plant right downtown, right next to the beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium. They are talking about converting to gas. Actually 40% of the steam comes from burning garbage.



http://www.citizensenergygroup.com/TNews.aspx

moneypitfeeder

Also

Harrisburg PA still has a small part of downtown operating on district heat. I believe (but am not certain) that the Capitol Complex is heated by that system, hence it still remains active.