The April 2022 issue of PM Engineer features smart pumps paving the path to sustainability, pandemic drives growth of bottle filling stations, and much more!
The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act last year will help inject billions of dollars into both potable water and wastewater upgrades over the next several years. Coupled with that, President Joe Biden has issued an executive order and Federal Sustainability Plan that will put the U.S. federal government on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, which includes directives for federal buildings and facilities to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 through energy efficiency, electrification and use of carbon-free electricity along with sustainability principles.
PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke sat down with Elkay’s Michelle Hickey, senior manager of brand and media strategy, and Dave Sklodowski, group product manager, to discuss the bottle filling station market, current trends and some of Elkay’s philanthropic work in donating these products to communities in need of clean water.
It’s been two full years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives. Two years is a long time to live life in a bubble. I know many people will understand when I say I’m so tired of COVID and all of its restrictions! We want to get on with our lives and have everything return to normal. But here’s the thing, COVID is not going away just because we wish it would.
Innovation often starts within research facilities, which is certainly the case for a large university in the mountain region of the USA. When this facility needed to install a new piping system to support research and development efforts at its food and water laboratory, they looked to a local distribution company for expertise. Shyne & Associates, based out of Colorado, has serviced the plumbing industry for over 60 years by providing products that meet the needs of engineers and design firms across their region.
On the older hydronic systems, replacing the existing boiler with a new one was pretty straightforward. The installer connected the new boiler to the existing flue, piping and electric. The newer high-efficiency boilers are much different and require some additional planning.
Recently, I wrote about plumbing pipe thermal expansion and expansion fittings. Based upon feedback from some in the design community, there seems to be a feeling that more design professionals within the consulting industry need to have a better foundation to enhance their understanding of the topic.
One of the things I love about engineering is remembering those moments that inspire us to keep learning. For me, most of the time, it was related to somebody trying to fix something that was broken.
This month I want to deviate a bit from a purely renewable energy topic to one that’s important across the entire spectrum of hydronics technology. It’s a topic that likely gets exercised on a daily basis in any engineering office where water-based HVAC systems are conceived.
My first encounter in dealing with combating Legionnaires’ disease through code regulations dates back to 1977. Older individuals will recall that the disease got its name after the outbreak in 1976 in Philadelphia at the American Legion Convention.
The fourth edition of "Modern Hydronic Heating & Cooling, for Residential and Light Commercial Buildings" will be available through major booksellers on April 1.
Achieving this goal is the equivalent of taking 600,000 cars off the road for a year, or off-setting the average annual CO2 emissions generated by 100,000 people.
REHAU Group announced is has suspended operations in Russia, due to the development of the crisis and the suffering of the people in Ukraine. REHAU said its priority is the safety of its colleagues and their families in Ukraine and those that are leaving the country. The company began preparing possible contingency plans some time ago.
The annual Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corp. queried 1,035 American adults Jan. 10-21, 2022, about their handwashing habits, concerns about the coronavirus and flu and their use of public restrooms.
Maintain constant flow and 100% valve authority over a wide range of differential pressures with the Cocon Q Pressure Independent Control Valve, the company says.
The Mikrofill 3 hydronic system pressurization unit is the most advanced, “direct-type” pressurization unit available for sealed, low-pressure hot-water (LPHW) and chilled-water (CHW) commercial and multifamily residential applications, the company says.
Designed as a direct replacement for PTAC units often found in hotels/motels and high-rise residences, Fujitsu’s STHP (Split-type Thermal Heat Pump) is a combination indoor unit/condensing unit that fits the sleeve of a PTAC, offering higher efficiency, quieter operation, greater comfort and simplified maintenance, the company says.
CircuitSolver’s Cold Water Balancing Valve (CSU-CW) is a dynamic valve designed to automatically balance cold water recirculation systems utilizing the same reliable and precise thermal actuator technology as the original CircuitSolver for balancing recirculating hot water systems.
The Navigator digital mixing valve is engineered with advanced technology to deliver and maintain water temperatures within +/- 3º F, even during low and zero demand periods, the digital valve maximizes safety and efficiency for domestic hot water systems, the company says.
With increased electrification and greater energy efficiency, this unit from Rheem is built for large-scale commercial applications where a large amount of potable water is needed at usable temperatures.
Designed to offer faster and more flexible installation in an easy to transport package, Rinnai’s TRX compact wall-mount system takes less than half the time to install, Rinnai points out.
The EZ Series of high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters from Noritz America cuts installation time and cost when replacing larger, storage tank-type units, it notes.
PVI, a Watts brand, introduces Centurion, a compact, 2000 MBH direct-fired domestic water heater that features state-of-the art combustion controls technology and superior reliability, the company notes.
Navien’s NPE-2 condensing tankless water heaters include a turndown ratio up to 15:1, advanced EZNav multi-line control panel with setup wizard, and 2” PVC venting up to 75’.
Ideal for large commercial applications, the Cyclone XL commercial gas water heater operates at 1 million Btu/h, with an additional 750,000 Btu/h model available.
The TTS Synergy Series features a turndown ratio of 66:1 that will provide more than 1,600 gallons of hot water per hour, yet is compact enough to fit through a standard mechanical room doorway, the company says.
The 55-gal. Everlast Elevate electric storage water heater was developed as an innovative solution to federal regulations imposed on light-duty electric tank-type water heaters with storage capacities larger than 55 gallons.