A Boiler Plant Energy Efficiency and Load Balancing Survey

Daily energy use data was used to perform an energy efficiency survey of a medium-sized university boiler plant. The physical plant operates centralized mechanical plants to provide both chilled water and steam for building conditioning. Steam is used for heating buildings and to operate a 4000-ton steam-driven chiller. There are five natural gas-fired steam boilers that have rated capacities ranging from 40,000 lb/hr to 100,000 lb/hr at an operating pressure of 125 psig. This paper discusses the operating characteristics of the boiler and potential energy efficiency improvements. Results from the study included that reducing excess air levels to recommended minimums would save over $15,000 per year