PROJECT SPEC: 10,000+ Residential Apartments in 110 buildings
SPECIFIER: East Coast Mechanical, Inc– Bronx, NY
MANUFACTURER/ PRODUCT: Diversified Heat Transfer (DHT), ST Series (SuperTherm) Water Heaters
SAVINGS: 10%- 15% per month
ROI: 2 Years
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
A large residential development of apartment buildings on the East Side of Manhattan is implementing a sustainability initiative that includes projects ranging from composting and solar panels to high-efficiency hot water heating systems integrating Diversified Heat Transfer (DHT) solutions. Not only is the new DHT system helping maintain more consistent domestic hot water for their residents it is also saving ownership more than 10% annually in Con Ed steam usage.
Built between 1942-1947, the complex features over 10,000 apartments in 110 buildings over 80 sprawling acres in Manhattan’s East Village. With more than 30,000 residents, the complex is the largest residential consumer of steam in the United States. The use of central district steam – prevalent at the time the complex was built – meant that none of the buildings was properly equipped for an onsite boiler plant. Instead, the complex was designed with a hub distribution system by which one mechanical room in a designated building would receive high-pressure steam (180 PSIG)and from there distribute lower pressure steam for building heat. The system would also reduce incoming steam to 60 PSIG, after which the steam was piped into semi-instantaneous water heaters or tube bundles in large inefficient storage tanks to serve at least 6-7 buildings connected to the hub.
COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY:
Over the past five years, the residential development has been initiating green programs that have included retrofitting buildings and apartments for maximum energy efficiency. The new domestic water heating system was part of that initiative.
The Chief Engineer selected East Coast Mechanical Services, Inc., which has been providing quality building heating and plumbing systems for more than two decades, for the project due to its experience and skillset. In reviewing the system requirements, Robert Knief, East Coast Mechanical- Facilities Engineer, recognized that the DHT ST Series (SuperTherm) Water Heaters and specially designed condensate cooler /water preheater would provide the performance and efficiencies the residential development ownership sought.
Knief worked with Thomas Francullo, DHT Vice President of Sales, to design a system that incorporated 36 ST Series (SuperTherm) Water Heaters. To maximize efficiencies and create greater benefits, Knief and Francullo also designed 18 preheaters, advanced PID controls, and a communication into the BMS system.
“I have experience with the DHT solutions, which have proven to be highly reliable and energy efficient. When reviewing the project, I knew that a system leveraging DHT solutions would meet or exceed the requirements,” said Knief.
HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM DESIGN:
DHT ST Series (SuperTherm) Semi-Instantaneous Water Heaters were selected because they are constructed of stainless steel pipe and other non-ferrous materials to ensure long leak-free operation. Designed for continuous high-peak loads, the DHT ST (SuperTherm) Water Heaters are ideal for high-demand applications.
DHT and East Coast Mechanical custom designed a preheater as part of the system, as well. The condensate from the domestic water heater, along with the combined hub buildings heating condensate from the steam radiators, all run through the specially designed preheater. The water-to-water preheater captures the sensible heat from the condensate while preheating the incoming domestic water to significantly reduce the steam consumption at the control valve.
The steam fired ST Series (SuperTherm) Water Heaters are regulated by a PID controller designed and programmed by the DHT team. The PID controller, which is in the ST (SuperTherm) control panel, receives the outgoing temperature 4-20ma signal and then transmits the correct output signal to the state-of-the-art fast-acting motorized high pressure steam control valve.
COST REDUCED:
Modbus MSTP controls maintains communication between the BMS and all 36 water heater units throughout the complex to monitor operating temperatures and set high-temperature alarms.
Establishing a high level of central monitoring also reduces maintenance service calls, as well as controls loads to conserve energy at low demand hours. The electronic valves do not need constant adjustment and maintenance compared to the legacy liquid-filled thermostatic controls.
Further lowering maintenance is the design of the DHT ST Series (SuperTherm) Water Heaters. Their semi-instantaneous operation controls the velocity of water and pressure drop by changing water flow directly across the heat exchanger to reduce scale formation.
Another benefit is the compact size of the new system. The water heating system has a vertical configuration to occupy less than four square feet of floor space in the mechanical rooms.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT:
The DHT-based system has lowered monthly operational costs by 10-15%. With such a positive economic impact, ownership realized a return on investment (ROI) in only two years. The improved efficiency has also virtually eliminated tenant complaint calls, enhancing overall facility operation.
