Aligning Vendor Utilities

Most facility projects have multiple vendors supplying numerous pieces of equipment. Because of this, it is usual to see a wide range of temperatures and pressures specified for various utilities. This variation can create additional costs for a project by increasing the number of piping systems, piping accessories, and main plant equipment required.

Hixson’s Process Utilities Department works with vendors to reduce the variation without jeopardizing the process. As illustrated in the tables below, supply and return temperatures in a process hot water loop were aligned, thus eliminating the need for thermal mixing valves and reduced pump capacity.

While this example dealt with process hot water, the same approach can be applied to compressed air operating pressures, steam pressures, refrigeration suction pressures, and other tempering systems. Check with your process engineer prior to a project start to determine whether streamlining vendor operating points is possible with your design.