District-energy steam network at a US university campus.
A US university campus steam network — 13 miles of underground pipe and 116 vaults — had lost capacity to weather events. Pyrogel® XTE recovered capacity (avoiding a $4M boiler purchase) and cut annual energy cost-per-vault by ~13×.
Flooded vaults, lost steam capacity, lost revenue.
Mineral wool and cellular glass had failed in vaults; precipitation routinely flooded the network and the campus could not maintain its service commitments.
- 13 miles of underground pipe, 116 vaults. A major campus steam network.
- Flooded vaults reduced steam capacity. Capacity loss became visible during precipitation.
- Tight quarters, safety concerns. Vault confines made thicker insulation impractical.
Pyrogel® XTE — performs even when submerged and damaged.
On one routine inspection a Pyrogel® XTE vault was found flooded under 11 ft of water with damaged jacketing — and the surface temperature still matched design.
- Performs to spec when wet. Hydrophobic across the blanket; submersion testing in real service.
- Thin profile fits the vault. Increased safety in tight quarters.
- Eliminated the need for an additional boiler. Steam capacity recovered without capital addition.
- Grass growing around the manhole. Other vaults without Pyrogel had dead grass from escaping heat.
$4M boiler avoided, ~13× cut to per-vault energy cost.
Recovering steam capacity from the existing network meant the campus did not have to install an additional boiler — a ~$4M avoidance. Per-vault energy cost fell from $4,750/yr to ~$359/yr after re-insulation with Pyrogel® XTE.
Need to recover capacity on an aging steam network?
Pyrogel® XTE performs in flooded vaults — Aspen can quantify the capacity recovery available.