Client:   Saint Peter’s Medical Center,  New Brunswick, NJ

Contact:     Mr. Alexander Chaykoski

Project:      Replace Existing Chillers

Background – The main chilled water source for this 400-bed medical center consisted of two, 30-year old, 600-ton single stage steam absorption chillers, which were plagued with operational problems and straining to keep up with the load of an expanding facility.  When one of the chillers failed in the peak  cooling season, patient comfort was significantly impacted.

Intent – The client wanted to replace the chillers to provide a reliable chilled water plant with increased capacity to keep up with facility expansion.  Operating cost was also a concern.

Conceptual Challenges – 1) To increase chiller capacity without increasing energy consumption.  2) To complete the installation within the winter months.  3) To work around an antiquated electrical switch gear/motor control center, which supplied power to all major equipment in the power plant, with no interruption of the steam heating plant.  4) To demolish existing equipment next to the boilers without interrupting boiler operation. 5) To rig large, heavy new equipment into a limited space with a floor level 6 feet below grade.

Details – 1) The existing units were replaced with single 1060-ton and 740-ton, two stage absorption chillers.  2) The side of the building was removed, cribbing was installed, and the chillers were hoisted and rolled onto the cribbing.  A hole was created in the roof and the chillers were again hoisted, the cribbing removed and they were lowered to the floor and rolled into place.  3) A new motor control center was installed and new chilled water pumps were installed.

Results – 1) Because the new chillers were two-stage absorption chillers, the client obtained 1800 tons of capacity with no increase in steam consumption.  2) The project was completed on time and within the $1.25 million budget.  3) The client was appreciative  of the attention to detail provided by BUIST.  4) The shipment of the chillers from overseas was delayed, but by prefabricating a large portion of the piping, BUIST was able to complete the project before the cooling season.  5) Permission to speak with the client may be arranged upon request.