MEP
AEC was issued three task orders under a multiple year contract with NASA for renovations to the steam lines at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. Age and condition of the existing steam plant, steam distribution and condensate return network dictated that the plant components, piping and supporting infrastructure be replaced to promote safety, reliability and efficiency of steam operations for the Center. For each phase, AEC provided both engineering services and construction administration services.
Phase 1: Services provided by the design team included conducting a feasibility of design study evaluating the approach of replacing the steam/condensate and trench systems in-kind versus other approaches that may be more cost effective, make use of newer technologies, offer longer life cycles or offer other benefits. Once the final approach was selected, the design team prepared construction documents for the project.
Phase 2: Work included rerouting lines to ensure steam distribution was uninterrupted during construction; replacing the steam main and condensate return pipe lines along several area roads; replacing branch lines, valves, steam traps, expansion joints and related equipment along these mains into buildings; replacing concrete valve vaults and access manholes; replacing the vault drain system and the high water alarm system; restoring all paved and landscape areas, and replacing steam system components such as valves, traps, expansion joints, anchors, slides, supports and guides.
Phase 3: Work for this phase included the installation of a new 2,500-gallon feedwater heater with tray type deaerator in Building 12 (which houses the power plant), the upgrade of the Building 12 steam automation control system, and the replacement of a portion of Glenn Research Center’s steam distribution and condensate return network along Taylor Road. This project also included the installation of electric hot water boilers inside Buildings 49, 105 and 106 as well as the installation of permanent exterior steam boiler connections outside of building 105. Phase 3 also required rerouting lines to ensure steam distribution is uninterrupted during construction.
Much of the steam distribution trench system is located under paved roads, parking areas and sidewalks. The older existing lines are mostly located in shallow underground concrete trenches. The piping, components, and concrete trenches, manholes and other structures suffered considerable deterioration within 20 feet of each manhole due to rain and saltwater intrusion based on the evidence seen during Phase 1. Nearly all existing underground trench construction was replaced with a direct bury system following the existing routing, locating the steam pipe within the boundaries of the existing tunnel and employing cover techniques to maintain DOT H-20 loading capability where required.
