Designing Commercial Sewage Lift Stations Part 1: How To Determine Flow Rate

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By Chris Edmondson

Sometimes codes just aren’t very helpful.  Take Section 712.4.2 of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and its insight into the selecting flow capacity for a sewage and ejector pumps:

712.4.2 Capacity. A sewage pump or sewage ejector shall have the capacity and head for the application requirements.

(Thanks, IPC….)

Clearly, having the proper flow is necessary to efficiently discharge wastewater from a commercial plumbing system – but how do you determine the flow rate for the sewage system so you can properly size the pump? 

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Steam Properties and Qualities: A Primer

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By Jerry Timm

When the laws and characteristics of steam are respected, fewer operating problems occur and unnecessary costs are minimized.

Four Types of Steam

Steam is an invisible gas created by adding heat energy to water. It is liquid water changed to its gaseous state.

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What is Superheated Steam?

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By Mike Sneary

Superheated steam occurs when heat energy is added to saturated steam that is not in contact with liquid. When the heat energy is added, the steam temperature is increased above the saturation temperature. Superheated steam is referred to as ‘dry’ steam meaning it contains no water droplets. This effect can also occur when the pressure of saturated steam is reduced through a pressure control valve.

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Air Management and Pressurization Part 5: Is It A Compression Tank or an Expansion Tank?

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By Chad Edmondson

 As we bring our first series about air management in a hydronic system to a close, we’re going to revisit tanks – not what they do (we’ve already covered that) but what we call them.  Specifically, we want to address whether or not there is a difference between what some industry professionals call an “expansion tank” and what others call a “compression tank.” 

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Thinking Beyond Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers for Waterside Economizing

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By Chad Edmondson

  “What type of heat exchanger is best for my waterside economizer application?”

 It’s a question we get asked a lot.  With the increased requirement for either an air or waterside economizing in ASHRAE 90.1 – 2010, we expect to get asked even more – especially since the DOE expects states to adopt the revised standard into their non-residential building codes by as early as next month.

 U-Factor Versus Real-World-Factor

Conventional engineering logic has always leaned toward plate and frame technology for waterside

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