The cost of installing two new air compressors is estimated to be One Spare Rotor for Chillers No. 5, 5A, 6 or 6A.. The rotor on the No. 6 Chiller in the West Refrigeration Plant suffered a problem with the second stage wheel in the compressor section. This came at a time when the maximum demand for cooling was imposed on the refrigeration system. The problem with this rotor is similar to the problems that occurred when those chillers were first placed in service. At that time, the manufacturer replaced all the rotors due to blade failure. The length of time to repair this unit was roughly 10-12 weeks. This time frame imposes severe operating conditions on the plants which is reflected by increased electrical consumption. The manufacturer of the chillers revealed that the rotors in all the units in the West Refrigeration Plant are identical. Therefore, to reduce down time on these units when rotor problems arise, it would be prudent to have a spare rotor on hand. Having a spare rotor on hand would limit down-time of a unit to approximately 7-10 days. The cost of a new rotor is approximately $60,000. Retube Three Wickes Boilers.. The normal life span of a utility boiler is forecast to be forty to fifty (40-50) years. Installation of these boilers was begun in 1951, which brings the age of these boilers to approximately forty (40) years old. Since these are still the original tubes in the boilers, except for the areas in the firebox region, consideration should be given to 9.13 retube these units. Even in the event that design and construction of a new steam plant is begun, we must guarantee reliable steam production until the time that new facility is completed and ready for operation. Over the past several years, random tube failures have been experienced in various areas of the coal/gas fired boilers. These three units comprise the main steam generating capability. A long term outage of one or more of these boilers during peak loading conditions would seriously jeopardize the ability to provide heat. It is requested that a total of $1,960,000 be approved to retube these three boilers. It is further requested that this work be established as a multiyear project covering a three year duration by appropriating the requested amount of $655,000 in fiscal year 1993, and leaving the amount of $655,000 in the base for an additional two years. 9.14 Project management will be provided by the plant chief engineer and This appropriation is for the operation and maintenance of the Capitol Power Plant, which has been in operation since December 1, 1910. It provides heat and air conditioning refrigeration for the Capitol, Senate and House Office Buildings, and Library of Congress Buildings; heat for the United States Botanic Garden, heat and air conditioning for the Senate and House Garages; and steam heat for the Government Printing Office and the Washington City Post Office, and steam heat and air conditioning for the Folger Shakespeare Library, Union Station complex, and the U. S. Supreme Court Building on a reimbursable basis. The Architect of the Capitol performs his duties in connection with the plant under authority of the Act of March 4, 1911 (36 Stat. 1414). All electrical energy is now being purchased from the local public utility. Approximately one-half of the electrical load at the Capitol Power Plant has been purchased since September 1950, and the remaining one-half load since September 1951 when generation of all electrical energy at the Capitol Power Plant was discontinued. The energy purchased for all buildings and grounds under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol is now 60-cycle alternating current, having been converted from 25-cycle alternating current during the period 1951-1963 under funds allowed for such purpose by Congress. In addition to heat, air conditioning and electricity, water and sewer services for the Capitol The steam generated by the Capitol Power Plant in fiscal year 1991 was 1,201 million pounds, a four percent decrease under 1990. The steam was supplied to the various buildings served through approximately 3 miles of steam lines. The new steam generators, new tunnel and steam lines, installed under the Capitol Power Plant Changes and Improvements Project, have been in service since 1954. The output of the refrigeration plant in fiscal year 1991 was approximately 88.5 million ton-hours of refrigeration, a five percent increase over 1990. A work force of 103 employees, the same as allowed for 1992, is required for 1993 for the operation 9.16 |
