MADISON AVENUE FUEL CONVERSIONS

 

BACKGROUND

 

Two high-rise office buildings on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan were paying ever-increasing district steam costs. Geatain Engineering was retained to study existing steam consumption and evaluate the feasibility of fuel conversion to natural gas.

 

HOW GEATAIN ENGINEERING HELPED

 

Geatain Engineering implemented the following step-by-step analysis:

• Reviewed site utilities, piping network, gas availability, available chaseways and alternative boiler locations.

• Evaluated alternate site location to identify challenges and eliminate least practical sites.

• Completed two conceptual designs for each building, located major equipment and estimated project costs.

• Completed eQUEST models to verify loads and savings.

• Summarized findings in report which included sustainability features, advanced building controls, costs and savings.

 

BENEFITS

 

• Greater temperature control throughout each floor.

• Linear regression plots correlated existing steam use to heating degree days.

• Reused available steam piping to maximum extent possible.

• Presented savings scenarios considering gas price fluctuations and winter severity.

• Increased available storage space.

 

CHALLENGES

 

• High and ever-increasing district steam costs.

• Lack of local control over heating costs.

• Lack of drawings to show steam riser locations.

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SOLUTIONS

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• Four-pass boiler to provide maximum heat transfer.

• Advanced controls to regulate steam distribution.

• Recuperative reuse of waste steam heat.

 

ANNUAL SAVINGS

 

$ 679,094