Customer:
CPCU
LOCATION:
Paris, France
Scope of Work:
The 480km of steam/condensate piping in the Paris district heating loop was experiencing accelerated piping wear and severe water hammer. The water hammer was a critical safety concern as well as a source of continual annoyance to over 5000 CPCU commercial/ residential customers because of the loud banging. Armstrong International was asked to design a solution to the water hammer problems without causing any service inconvenience for CPCU’s customers.
Upgrade Projects:
Armstrong conducted an extensive audit of the system to include:
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Data logging of pressure and temperature at different areas of the steam and condensate network to isolate water hammer problem areas
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Assessment of different working conditions depending on period of the day and period of the year
Following the audit, Armstrong put in place concrete solutions:
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Design of a custom made steam trap to handle their CPCU’s unique application
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Design of a tailor-made thermo-siphon mixing device using cooler condensate from return lines to cool hot condensate coming out from drip legs to mitigate the water hammer
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Armstrong provided Best Practice engineering drawings for CPCU’s main line condensate stations
Investment:
The total value of the agreement was over $250,000 Eur.
Terms:
Project scope began in 2001.
Benefits:
- Armstrong received an award from CPCU for their product innovation
- Elimination of water hammer provided CPCU with happier customers and a safer work environment for CPCU maintenance personnel
- Reduction of costly unscheduled maintenance
- Substantial condensate saving
- Improvement of steam quality and reduction of wear in pipes