Robert J. Dole Deaprtment of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center

Year Submitted: 2006

Process: Boiler

Industry: Medical Facility

Wastes Reduced: energy use, air emissions

Location: Wichita KS

No. of employees: unknown

Contact: Keith Holt

Phone: 316-685-2221

Description:

Industrial boiler systems like those typically found in large hospitals offer a range of opportunities for decreasing energy use, purchased fuel costs, air emissions, and other discharges. The Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center in Wichita, Kan., has started a process to upgrade the operation of its steam system.

P2 Application:

One of the first steps was to implement a boiler combustion- monitoring program. Instead of hiring an outside firm to set up the burners after an annual insurance inspection or other major system upsets, the VA center purchased and began using combustion test equipment. Other changes were also made to the steam system. The method of treating the boiler water was changed, reducing chemical costs and reducing the discharge of chemicals in boiler blow down. Staff also monitors condensate return daily for pH and overall condensate return percentages. This enables them to find leaks quickly, saving energy and water. On the electrical side, the health center is gradually changing lighting to T8 lamps with electronic ballasts. Standard-efficiency motors are being replaced with premium-efficiency motors when change-outs are needed.

Details of Reductions

• 162,000.0 - Pounds of   Carbon Monoxide Emissions
  

• Electricity
  Comments: total KwH not calculated.

Source: P2Ric