INSULATION 



HEAT 



INSULATION 



NON-CONDUCT 

 ING CEILING 



ONK of tin- many and varied problems in con- 

 nection with tin- mechanical equipment 

 of the Singer Building is that of Heat 

 Insulation. 



In order be>t l<> conserve all of the imnmM energy. 

 to effect and maintain the highest degree of efficiency 

 commensurate with that splendid 

 work of the craftsmen, the Power 

 Plant, the use of the l>est methods 

 and materials attainable was essential. 



To the Robert A. Keasbey Co., No. 100 North 

 Moore Street, New York, was intrusted a very large 

 part of this important detail of equipment 



One of the most interesting features of this work 

 is the non-conducting fireproof ceiling suspended 

 over the machinery rooms, about 14 

 inches below and supported from 

 the main floor structural framing 

 by galvanixed flat iron, carrying tee and angle irons 

 so arranged that frames are formed, into which are 

 set 85 per cent, carbonate of magnesia blocks 2 

 inches thick, over which is stretched 2-inch galvanized 

 hexagon mesh wire, tightly drawn and secured. On 

 this is applied a coat of 85 per cent, carbonate of 

 magnesia plaster inch thick, finished with two 

 coats of hard finishing cement. 



This construction permits the circulation of air 

 by means of blowers, completely baffling the radiation 

 of heat, either from above or below the ceiling, and 

 presents a uniformly good appearance. 



Heated surfaces lose heat through radiation and 

 conduction when coming into contact with a cooler 

 body or element. This principle 

 was constantly borne in mind when 

 insulating the 14-inch main steam 

 header, the 20-inch exhaust line, 

 the hot- and cold-water circulating lines, feed-water 

 heater, blow-off and drip tanks, engine cylinder. 

 ducts and flue. 



Pipes and boilers carrying steam at 212 F. and 

 upward coming into direct contact with the surround- 

 ing atmosphere, the temperature of which seldom 

 reaches 100 F., lose a large percentage of heat 

 through radiation. This lo r.m-cs condensation, 

 which must be overcome to maintain the plant's 

 efficiency, and the only recourse is the excessive use 



of fuel. 



A recent test shows that the saving of fuel, taking 

 steam at 100 pounds' pressure through a bare pipe, 



[94 



ECONOMY OF 



GOOD 



INSULATION 



as compared with its conveyance through a properly 

 insulated pipe, will amount to more than $1.217 per 

 \ear for each square foot of pipe; the formula of 

 computation being as follows: 



Steam at 100 pounds' pressure, bare pipe, loses per 

 square foot, iron measure, a minute, 13 B. T. U.; 

 by covering with 85 per cent, carbonate of magnesia 

 sections 1.196 inches thick, the loss per square foot, 

 iron measure, per minute, is 2.13 B. T. II.; therefore, 

 132.13 = 10.87 B. T. U. saved. 



Saving by the use of good insulation: 10.87 B. T. 

 U. X 525600 minutes in a year -875 Latent Heat 

 I 'nits in 1 Ib. of steam at 100 Ibs. pressure = 6530.0 

 Ibs. of water condensed (saved) 8 Ibs. of water 

 evaporated per pound of coal =816. 32 Ibs. of coal 

 saved at $3 per ton = $1.217 saved per year per square 

 foot of iron covered. 



Some idea of the saving at the Singer Plant result- 

 ing from the method used and quality of the insula- 

 tion furnished may be had when one comprehends: 



First, the boiler pressure is 200 pounds. 



Second, there are about 75,000 square feet of 

 steam surfaces, or about 2 acres, insulated with 85 per 

 cent, carbonate of magnesia in scientifically deter- 

 mined thicknesses, ranging from inch to 4 inches. 



In this manner the heat in the lines is confined, 

 preventing its loss through radiation, conduction or 

 condensation. 



Fuel is the most expensive item of cost in the 

 operation of a power plant, and the saving of fuel is 

 an important factor in the earnings of any plant 

 large or small, tremendously so in the Power Plant 

 designed to equip the Singer Building. 



Concerning the 9,000 square feet exposed sur- 

 faces of brine, ammonia and ice-water lines in 

 connection with the compression 

 machine, one need only realize that 

 the 1^-inch ice-water lines in base- 

 ment discharge water at 38, at the extreme top of 

 Tower, 612 feet above street level, with outlets in 

 almost every room. 



Cooled surfaces, i.e., brine and ammonia lines, 

 lose efficiency through absorption when coming into 

 contact with a warmer body or element. 



Cork, by nature, contains an infinite number of 

 mPK A< A entrapped air cells, rendering it 



. , L,, n "" excellent non-conductor of heat 



NON-CONDUCTOR 



COLD 

 INSULATION 



;m( , ^ js vny ,;,,, m weigh , ;|m| 

 will not absorb moisture, hence its use. 



