By Chris Edmondson

There’s more than one way to pump a chiller or boiler system.  In fact, there are five common approaches, and all but one includes some variation of our topic of late -- primary secondary pumping. 

Variable Primary Pumping

Contemporary systems that do not utilize primary secondary pumping are typically known as variable primary systems.  In this simple design, there is only one set of pumps (chiller or boiler pumps) creating flow for the entire system. 

By Chris Edmondson

Piping in a primary secondary pumping systems as a whole can be quite complex, but when it comes to the “primary” part of the system, there are really only two approaches:  Dedicated or Non-dedicated.

Figure 1 shows the chillers in a primary secondary system piped with one pump per chiller.  If the chillers

By Chris Edmondson

Low Delta T Syndrome.  The terminology alone strikes fear in the hearts of anyone involved in chiller plant design or operation.  We know Low Delta T Syndrome is bad.  We know it wastes energy.  The very topic has given rise to countless technical articles and white papers that most of us haven’t the time or patience read.  But take heart because believe it or not, if you’ve read and understand Part 1 and Part 2 of this Series, you already have the building blocks to understand Low Delta T Syndrome.  You just don’t know it yet.

By Chris Edmondson

What happens in a pipe when water of two different temperatures (and perhaps different flow rates) merge? 

There’s a pretty straightforward formula that tells you exactly what the resultant water temperature will be. In this blog, we’ll go over that calculation, as well as take a closer look at how blended temperatures

Are you involved in the design or installation of hydronic systems?  Do you anticipate becoming involved?

 If you answered yes to either of these questions, this blog series on primary/secondary pumping will interest you.  If you are a hydronic’s veteran, feel free to skip the first few blogs in the series – they may be too much of a review.  Better yet, pass them onto a junior associate and