CHALLENGE: IMPROVE CONTROL AND EFFICIENCY
Boston Scientific–Cork Ltd. (BSCL) manufactures stents for heart surgery
patients. This critical application requires humidification delivered 24 hours a
day continuously within 1% of set point. However, existing humidifiers were
not meeting this control requirement. Additional challenges included reducing
energy and maintenance costs, increasing reliability, and meeting a two-year
or less payback required for funding.
APPLICATION: MATCH HUMIDIFIER TO REQUIREMENTS
BSCL had seven air handling units with previously installed electrode
humidifiers operating with very hard, potable water, and dispersing steam
through multiple dispersion units. Electrode technology is suitable for a
number of humidification applications. However, it is not applicable for critical
applications requiring continuous operation and tight control, or applications
where reduced maintenance costs and resource conservation are a priority.
Electrode technology requires frequent draining, filling, and reheating in order
to maintain steam production. Noncontinuous steam production makes tight
control difficult. Therefore, BSCL experienced frequent interruptions in steam
production, higher energy costs from reheating, more water usage due to
refilling, and higher maintenance costs due to cylinder replacement.
SOLUTION
Fourteen DriSteem resistive-element Vapormist® humidifiers were installed in
BSCL’s stent production areas replacing the existing electrode humidifiers. All
of the Vapormist humidifiers maintained RH within 1% of set point for BSCL's
production rooms, as required. Rapid-sorb dispersion panels dispersed the
steam in the seven air handlers. The humidifiers were distributed throughout the
air handling units, and depending on the load, some air handling units had
three humidifiers.
“Resistive technology was ideal for
this critical application. I am very
pleased with how the installation
went, and how smoothly the transition
was from electrode to resistive.”
— Rich Costa
Intelligent Building Controls
Representative
DriSteem Vapormist humidifier
Precise control and being virtually maintenance
free made the Vapormist a perfect choice for
the critical requirements of Boston Scientific's
medical production rooms.
Heating fresh water to replace drained water (to remove conductive ions),
can affect electrode humidifier performance and efficiency. Resistive
technology combined with RO/DI water provided the tight control and minimal
maintenance that BSCL was looking for. Properly maintained RO/DI water
does not require draining or skimming, and resistive technology with RO/DI
water allows for continuous steam production.
Installed Vapormist humidifiers at BSCL.
COST SAVINGS BREAKDOWN
- Energy costs:
Reduced the need for heating make-up water, saved 38%.
- Maintenance costs:
No cylinders to be replaced or refurbished, saved 90%.
- Operating costs:
Energy and maintenance costs combined for an overall reduction in run time, saved 55%.
DriSteem Distributor, Intelligent Building Controls Ltd. (IBC), is the premier
supplier of top quality building energy management systems, control and
measurement products in Dublin, Ireland. IBC provided superb consultation to
BSCL throughout the duration of this project.
Racking system minimized down time
An innovative racking system allowed
installation with minimal humidifier
down time. Since BSCL required
continuous operation, the new
humidifiers were pre-piped, wired,
and installed on racks with wheels.
The new humidifiers were then
seamlessly exchanged.
PM Group was instrumental in their system
design. PM Group was established in 1973 and
has grown to become one of the most respected
engineering design, architecture and project
management firms in the world. Envotech was
important for their partnership and innovation.
Envotech's growth is spurred by innovative
products, intelligent designs, and custom projects
fueled by collaboration.
Resources
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DriSteem Vapormist
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