hydrotherm kn10

Hydrotherm kn10

Wondering has any one out there used any of these ? I am looking at a large commerical building that a large output condensing modulating boilers would fit right in looking at a total output of about 7 million btus and alot of repiping thoughout the building .Any suggestions and input would be helpful haven't really seem other units with large enough outputs to be viaable just getting some rough ideas and set up a idea of total change over price for the job thanks and peace and good luck clammy

Clammy

A couple of months ago I had a meeting and dinner with Ken Cohen, the inventor (Ken = KN- get it?) :^)>

Quite the character and quite a guy. Brilliant in fact, and passionate about what he does.

The purpose of the meeting was to witness a test firing, kick the tires and to address our initial reaction to the principle of using cast iron in a condensing boiler, the notion of thermal shock and so-forth. We are a tough group and ask a lot of good questions; this we know and heard as much from the representatives.


We are looking forward to specifying the product.

The cast iron aspects were addressed because the downward flow of condensate and the collection system prevents re-evaporation which is where the corrosion starts. There is some dissolution of metal but this has been extrapolated to reducing the casting walls to below ASME tolerances in over 30 years, by an independent laboratory. That still means a significant safety factor.

The thermal shock aspects are resolved by the internal flow patterns within smaller defined sections. The stress tolerances of the casting are well above the thermal stresses imposed by cold water return (ice water even). The flow distribution is as even as I have seen. CFD software also demonstrated this via a thermograph.

The other part is that HydroTherm is the manufacturer and will stand by it. They are stable and are not going anywhere. They are a division of Mestek, a major player in several areas. Warranty is 20 years or 21 was it on the HEX.

Some of the Mestek VP's had joined us and their commitment to the product was admirable. They had been burned before and this product was not "Rushed to Market". They held it back a couple of years.

Units are quiet by my estimation and feature a 4:1 modulation turn-down. The ceramic alumina matrix burner is simple and uniform. Price point was designed to compete with Aerco among others. Different beast.

Dungs Gas Valves allow LOW gas pressure operation (2.0 inches, essential in some urban areas such as Boston).

As you may know they also have a 600 MBH and a 2 MM input model so your 7MM plant might take on different complexion.

So far that is my impression.

One

I was at one of the meetings, but it was a rather large group, and regrettably I did not get "quality time" with everyone present. The night that I was there we went out to "Joe's" afterward. Was that your night?

Thanks

Thanks for the advice i should be talking to the building supervisor/owner and see how wide there wallet is and how much they want to empty it .They now have a 7 mmbtu steam boiler with many promblems like a long history of lack of maintance and i 've looked at it all and don't know where to start,like explosion proof building with the original pneutnic controls hacked murdered and remove just a time clock for controls ,electronic steam valves held open with vise grips ,it boggles the mind .And least of which is buried gravity condensate lines ,non functioning condenate pump ,make up water all the time ,tube replacement ever summer upon state inspection the list goes on and on .They want a hot water system so they can get rid of the blue seal employee but there's nothing to re use in the place i know there looking at some major bucks but i'll be finding out what there idea of that is .There gas bill is off the scale in my mind coupled with there inspection /re tube deal they blow threw alot of bucks just to heat the place .Thanks again and i'll keep you all post this would be a great summer project and a real adventure .Peace ang good luck (karma) clammy