SOLUTION

 Enwave’s revised disaster preparedness requirements included redundant steam-generating equipment, increased plant storage capacity that would allow for seven days of fuel oil and process water storage. Required critical equipment had to be located 20 feet above sea level, which is equal to the highest natural elevation in the city. The solution was to install this equipment on the second floor of the facility, well above the Hurricane Katrina flood plain.

To satisfy these requirements meant precision and careful planning within the building’s tight urban footprint. Other equipment — emergency diesel generator and water softener salt silo — were moved to the roof, while self-priming pumps used to transfer water and fuel from storage tanks below the pump’s inlets were moved above the sea level requirement.

Variable-speed drives were used on most motors to maximize the steam plant’s overall efficiency, and feedwater stack economizers were selected to reduce gas consumption, with a heat-recovery heat exchanger to utilize boiler blowdown for pre-heating makeup water.

To help minimize effects of noise and movement during construction, a vibration monitoring program was used to make sure nearby residences, businesses and healthcare facilities were not affected by piledriving operations.

RESULTS

The effects of Hurricane Katrina on the City of New Orleans’ hospitals and other healthcare operations resulted in an evolution in the approach to design and construction of facilities operating those services. Reconfiguring the location of critical equipment upgrades resulted in renewed confidence in a crucial part of the city’s emergency relief system.

Construction of the $28 million steam plant was completed on budget and two months ahead of schedule. The new plant serves 20 buildings, and stores more than 150,000 gallons of water in the event of a loss of municipal water utilities. The facility stores 40,000 gallons of fuel oil with a leak-detection system if the walls are compromised. These increases allow for seven days of standalone operations. There is a water-treatment system and 480-volt switchgear electrical system, allowing operators to service and maintain all electrical equipment without interruption of steam service.

The project also met Enwave’s goals to attain social, economic and sustainable development, while increasing capacity to meet demand. The nitrogen oxides emissions were cut in half, and though this level was not required, the decision considered the long-term environmental impacts and responsibilities of the surrounding healthcare district.