Introduction to Central Boiler Plants Central Boiler Plants are constructed primarily to produce an economical energy source for distribution. This energy may be in the form of steam, hot water, compressed air or electricity. A distribution system is necessary to carry this energy to buildings, hospitals, kitchens and laundries where it is used for heating,…
Centrifugal and Positive Displacement Pump Basics The pumps that are used in industry and in service in commercial buildings and municipalities can be classified as either centrifugal pumps or positive displacement pumps. This course provides a review of the primary components and operating characteristics of these pumps, along with a discussion of corrective and preventive…
Chillers, Refrigerant Compressors, and Heating Systems Packaged air conditioning and heating systems represent a significant percentage of the energy consumed for primary HVAC in the United States. This course reviews the primary components of packaged HVAC systems and evaluates the energy consumed by their main components. It presents a baseline energy usage estimate for the…
Noise and Vibration Control This course presents a general approach to designing and implementing noise control measures for mechanical equipment spaces. It provides recommendations for mechanical equipment installations, including specifications, testing methods, and applicable standards. The course provides a method of analysis to mitigate noise in neighborhoods adjacent to mechanical equipment installations. Noise level estimates…
Fundamentals of Metals Having a fundamental understanding of the structure and properties of metals, stress mechanisms, and failure modes is an important part of determining the usefulness of metal alloys for a specific application. Often, materials are subject to variable forces (loads). The mechanical engineer calculates these forces to establish the service that can be…
Introduction to HVAC Controls Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Control systems operate the mechanical equipment (boilers, chillers, pumps, fans, etc.) to maintain the proper environment in a cost-effective manner. This course provides an overview of the control systems that are in wide-spread use today and includes details of their operation. It presents examples of control…