Boiler Blog | Nationwide Boiler Inc.

Have you been considering steam system improvements in your plant, but do not know where to begin? Do you want to potentially save 10% or more in fuel costs, while reducing emissions?

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program can help answer those questions for you and has developed the Steam System Scoping Tool (SSST) for energy coordinators, facility managers and plant electricians to help evaluate your steam system's performance. The software (available in MS Excel or Visual Basic formats) asks 26 questions about different areas of your steam system including system profiling, steam system operating practices, boiler plant operating practices, and distribution and recovery operation practices. Based on your responses, the software will indicate opportunities for improvements and will suggest a range of ways to save steam energy and boost productivity. It also compares your system against similar facilities in your industry and identifies best practices.

According to the DOE, six DOE Industrial Assessment Centers used the SSST in 2001 to assess steam systems at 18 small and medium-sized facilities. Overall, the software identified 89 system improvements with an average fuel savings of 12.5%. Collectively, the total improvements yielded a total annual savings of $2.8 million.

To learn more about this free software, visit the DOE's website.

Call Nationwide Boiler at 800-277-1966 to let us know how much energy you are able to save. We can also provide you with valuable information about our energy efficient equipment for sale or for rent, including EconoStak economizers, Best Performance Standards (BPS) boilers and CataStak SCR systems for boilers and gas-fired turbines.

The EPA has provided guidance to facilities that may be subject to the mandatory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule, which covers GHG emissions from stationary fuel combustion and other sources. Facilities that generate greater than 25,000 mt CO₂ from stationary combustion sources are covered by the program and are required to register by August 1, 2011. The reporting of 2010 greenhouse gas emissions is due by September 30, 2011.

For additional details about the program or the new reporting tool, visit the links below:
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program's Website: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html

GHG Applicability Tool: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html

GHG Emissions Information: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/

In partnership with the Department of Energy Southeast Clean Energy Application Center, the International District Energy Association (IDEA), a nonprofit trade association created to facilitate the exchange of information among district energy professionals, is hosting a free webinar on November 17, 2011 (1:000-2:00 pm EST). The webinar, entitled "District Energy and CHP - Valuable Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities", will provide insight into the emergence of district energy in North America and will include two case studies that highlight its' success. Speakers will include Robert Thornton, President and CEO of the IDEA, Ray DuBose, Director, Energy Services at UNC-Chapel Hill and Harry Ragsdale, President, Thermal Engineering Group, Inc.

Nationwide Boiler has been a proud member of the IDEA and we support the organization's goals of promoting energy efficiency and environmental quality through the advancement of district heating, district cooling and cogeneration.

1    Operate Boilers At or Close to Design Capacity. This decreases fuel consumption per unit of production and can result in an estimated energy savings range of 1 percent to 5 percent.  Likewise, if your facility or plant requires excess capacity, visit the Nationwide Boiler website to obtain a current list of boilers for rent or for sale.  Nationwide Boiler provides new and used boilers that can ship immediately, anywhere around the world (conditions apply, contact Nationwide Boiler for details).

2    Reduce Combustion Excess Air. Measure and control air-fuel ratio or oxygen and carbon monoxide content of flue gases from process heating equipment such as furnaces, ovens, and boilers for the entire range of operation. This has an estimated energy savings range of 2 percent to 15 percent. Think about installing a standard low NOx / low excess air burner (compared to an ULN / high excess air burner) on your boiler.  Complemented with a Nationwide CataStak™ Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR), a new burner retrofit and SCR installation will not only provide immediate energy savings, but will also reduce NOx emissions and decrease your carbon footprint.

3    Clean Heat Transfer Surfaces. Cleaning heat transfer surfaces lowers flue gas temperature and increases efficiency by improving heat transfer. Doing so can save an estimated 1 percent to 5 percent at a moderate cost.

4    Reduce Radiation Losses from Openings. Reducing radiation losses can save an estimated 1 percent to 2.5 percent at a relatively low cost.
5    Use Proper Oven, Furnace or Boiler Insulation to Reduce Wall Heat Losses. Reducing wall losses produces energy savings of 1 percent to 2 percent with only a moderate investment.

6    Insulate Steam Lines Leaving the Boiler as well as Air- or Water-Cooled Surfaces Exposed to the Oven or Furnace Environment. With an estimated energy savings range of 1 percent to 5 percent, piping insulation can be completed for a moderate investment.

7    Install Air Preheaters or Other Heat Recovery Equipment. This type of equipment recovers available heat from exhaust gases and boiler blowdown and transfers it back into the system by preheating. The potential energy savings range id from 1 percent to 25 percent, depending on process temperatures and other variables.  Consider a Nationwide Boiler EconoStak Economizer or a Heat Recovery (HR) Blowdown Pak to recover valuable heat that can be reused, allowing you to save money in the long-term.

Adapted from Process Heating Magazine, March 21, 2012.