Waco, Inc.

Scope Of Work

JMU wanted to reduce energy usage on their heating  cooling expenses. One of the best ways to accomplish this was replacing the burner in one of the three boilers located within JMU's power plant. Burner replacement in the other two boilers had been done previously,  the third replacement completed the boiler upgrade project.

The boiler, producing 40,000 lbs. of steam per hour, included a dual-fuel burner, which ran off of bio-diesel  natural gas, with natural gas being the primary source.

 

What IT TOOK TO ACHIEVE THIS PROJECT.

Unique Project Challenges

1.Installation of a flue gas economizer created a unique challenge because one did not exist in the previous system. This required the development of  engineering designs, created the need to configure  add additional piping,  included the integration of  control systems.

2.In addition to the challenges of adding an economizer to the system, the size of the economizer required additional structural steel support. The amount of space was limited  the task of getting the  economizer into the power plant required specialized rigging. Waco contracted with a crane company  worked side by side to get the  unit properly in place.

3.Configuring the  automated control systems to work with the older equipment was challenging. Waco personnel have extensive experience with the latest control systems,  were able to install  test the  systems to ensure proper operation.

Why WACO was chosen

Another contractor had installed the two previous burners as part of the boiler replacement andexpansion project. Waco participated in the State bid process for replacing the third burner and was chosen for the project. In addition to the favorable bid, Waco’s extensive experience at JMU on other projects had earned them a reputation for technical capability, quality work, and strong project management. JMU was familiar with Waco’s extensive resume of boiler projects and valued the R-Stamp from The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

Summary of Results

Lee Waldeck and Sean Davies were Co-Project Managers on this project. Only one change order was required due to refractory insulation that needed to be replaced on the burner wall. This was impossible to know ahead of time. JMU clearly understood and allowed this exception. There were no workplace injuries and the project was completed on schedule allowing the university to begin reaping the energy savings benefits immediately.