19-02-2013, 09:41 AM
Switching off the steam humidification in summer
Introduction
The hospital in this case is a medium-sized institution with central steam
generation. The steam generating system is 30 to 40 years old and has low
efficiency. Steam is also purchased from outside.
Present situation
In the present situation the steam humidification continues to operate during the
summer, although there is sufficient moisture in the outside air to meet the
requirements. This means that the steam pipe network is also kept up to
temperature during the summer.
Proposal
The steam humidification can be switched off whenever the air humidity is high
enough in summer. On the basis of the number of humidification gram-hours, it
should be possible to shut down the entire steam pipe circuit during the four
summer months.
Estimated savings & investment
The savings are achieved in terms of steam consumption for humidification and
lower losses in the steam circuit (e.g. insulation losses).
From the consumption data it appears that the steam consumption for keeping
the system hot during the proposed four summer months is 150 tonnes.
On the basis of a steam cost of 61 euros/tonne, the annual energy saving is € 9
150. The investment required for this measure is nil.