Though most boilers are housed indoors in a boiler room, not all boilers are. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as space constraints, ventilation requirements, noise considerations, or several other factors. A Virginia-based gas plant approached our Superior Problem Solvers with this problem; they needed a boiler, and the units needed to be robust enough to be housed outdoors and withstand the elements.
Our Superior Problem Solvers got to work right away, trying to find the best solution for the customer. The Superior Boiler rep approached our sales team with this question. Together with the customer, the representative, and two Superior Boiler sales employees, the team started working together to come up with a way to overcome the obstacle. That’s when the team thought of a doghouse, designed to be a shelter for animals to protect them from elements. They wondered if the idea could be applied to keep the burners protected during harsh weather changes. The idea was then passed to the Superior Boiler engineering department, who designed an enclosure that kept the burner protected but allowed for start-up and repairs and included a heat release to prevent the system from overheating. For the boilers, the team decided the right fit for their facility and operations would be two hot water Apache units, each featuring a 400 HP capacity and offering the customer optimal efficiency.
The first crucial piece of designing these Apache boilers was to include stainless-steel insulation. This helps the boilers be more weather resistant and creates a jacket that will last longer when constantly exposed to the elements.
The next step in the design process was to create a structure to house the burners, manways, and blend pumps. Our engineers worked tirelessly to create a doghouse-like structure that would help protect all necessary equipment, making sure it was protected through rain, shine, or snow.
The final step to designing before it was sent to the manufacturing floor involved deciding on a configuration for the stainless-steel manway covers. These covers would prevent snow and water from pooling around each manway, providing the customer and their team access through all weather.
Once the design was complete and blueprints finished, it was time for our team to execute the plan. Though there were additional hurdles due to the unique nature of the project, our team took them in stride, working together to overcome any obstacle that came their way. Once complete, the Apache boilers headed to Virginia, where the local representative worked with the gas plant to get the equipment up and running. With the additional features to bolster the equipment’s strength and the doghouses to protect the burners, this Superior Boiler will be a reliable source of hot water for the gas plant for many years to come.