Steam-trap replacement saves hospital 10% on steam costs
Salisbury District Hospital has reduced its steam consumption by about 10% following the installation of Gem venturi orifice steam traps from Thermal Energy International. Steam is used extensively for laundry and sterilisation processes. In 2009, the hospital’s average steam consumption was 295 t a month, which fell to 265 t a month following the installation of the steam traps. Energy savings alone will enable the hospital to achieve a payback of 18 months.
70 Gem venturi orifice steam traps were installed to replace traditional thermodynamic steam traps, 10% of which were failing open, shut or half open each year.
Instead of using a valve mechanism to close off steam to conserve energy and water, Gem steam traps using a venturi orifice design to drain condensate from the steam system and do not have any moving parts.
The hospital’s base carbon output is 12 600 t a year. By 2015, the hospital expected to reduce it to 11 000 t a year by a range of energy-efficiency measures that include the steam traps and a new CHP system.
