Evangelical Community Hospital selected Quandel as the design-builder to lead the design and construction of their combined heating power plant, fueled by a biomass energy source.
The project used a carbon-neutral fuel source of green wood chips to energize a 16,738 MMBtu (500BHP) high pressure steam boiler to support the heating and process loads in the hospital. Useful efficiency of the steam boiler was increased by powering a microsteam turbine to generate 275 eKw of electricity to supply the hospital and offset electrical power purchasing. The low pressure discharge steam from the turbine also drives a 600-ton absorption chiller reclaiming additional power from the boiler.
In addition to more than $2 million of mechanical and electrical equipment, the project included the construction of a 2,500-square-foot fuel storage/conveyance building, relocation of utilities, and auxiliary fuel storage systems. Also included was work done related to the existing power plant, including the remediation of the over-stressed structure, re-roofing, and information technology improvements. The project was constructed to meet the most stringent air quality standards and environmental constraints.
In addition to controlling energy costs, the financial benefits exhibited by the completed project was less than a five year payback. The offsetting energy equivalencies related to 50 homes for electric power and 250 homes for heating. This was a carbon neutral project.
Many factors go into what has made our partnership with Quandel so successful over the years. These include quality, competence, and motivated personnel. Quandel brought an incredible amount of experience and expertise to our project. The entire team is extremely well versed in all aspects of construction and project management. I personally have never worked with a better construction management firm and i have been involved with construction projects at evangelical community hospital over the past 20 years!
Terry W. Napp
Director of Plant Engineering
