The two-week sitewide shutdown of the steam system was completed safely and successfully. This work will significantly contribute to the safety, efficiency, and reliability of our campus buildings, ensuring continued operational excellence in support of Argonne’s mission.
The Facilities Utilities Group focused on critical components at the boiler house and on the distribution lines and accomplished the following:
- Tie in of Combined Heat and Power Plant to 2nd header
- Rework of eight steam isolation valves in the steam plant
- Repairs and maintenance in all 12 steam vaults
- Work on site steam traps and blow offs
- Maintenance on over 150 valves (steam plant and sitewide)
- Repaired steam leak at valve to Building 350
- Inspected multiple tanks in the steam plant
The Facilities Building Maintenance Group focused on the critical components of the steam system within the buildings and accomplished the following:
- Repaired or replaced steam isolation valves that were either leaking or did not provide a positive shutoff
- Repaired or replaced condensate return systems that were not operating correctly
- Repaired or replaced numerous steam traps that were not operating correctly and creating system problems
- Repaired or replaced pressure reducing valves that were not operating properly and creating system problems
Other work that was accomplished around the site:
- Contractors replaced steam valves/steam stops at Buildings 362, 376, and 223
- Contractors installed permanent piping connections at Building 450 for future hot water boiler rentals
- Building Maintenance maintained seven rental boilers for the duration of the shutdown at Building 450