10601342Hydronic and Steam Systems
Course Information
Description
Participants will design hot water, steam, chilled water systems, select circulating pumps and balance hydronic systems. Components of the course include fluid flow in pipes, pump characteristics, hot water, chilled water, and steam systems. Operating boilers and chillers efficiently and safely will be emphasized.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Practice shop safety
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Describe basic shop safety rules
    Perform lockout/tagout procedures
    Choose the correct personal protective equipment for given tasks
    Identify potential safety hazards that can be minimized by shop cleanliness
    Describe safe practices for lifting and transporting heavy objects
    Handle tools and chemicals appropriately
    Identify risks working with steam and explain risk reduction practices

  2. Determine boiler applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Drawing/Illustration
    Criteria
    Differentiate between various types of boilers and their applications
    Describe pressure regulation and controls
    Identify heat exchange methods
    Sketch piping layout accurately to meet 80% accuracy
    Design open and closed loop piping systems

  3. Program modular boiler controllers
    Assessment Strategies
    Written projects
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Calculate the input parameters for the programmable controller
    Demonstrate proper operation of boiler when variables are inputted
    Interpret sequence of operation
    Interpret job specs, and building requirements as well as boiler abilities and limitations
    Explain system operation as it relates to pressures, temperatures, electrical sequence and mechanical motion

  4. Use efficiency calculations
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Written project
    Criteria
    Combustion efficiency test questions are answered with 80% accuracy
    Heat transfer test questions are answered with 80% accuracy
    Net IBR rating test questions are answered with 80% accuracy
    Conduct combustion efficiency test on a boiler system
    Correctly make adjustments in order to achieve highest efficiency possible

  5. Evaluate valves based on the application
    Assessment Strategies
    Written test
    Practical exercise
    Criteria
    Demonstrate knowledge of hydronic and steam valves and their operation.
    Identify and analyze the five functions of valves
    Select a valve for a specific application
    Identify precautions when installing and operating valves

  6. Select appropriate pumps
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/ illustration
    Written product
    Criteria
    Identify various styles of pumps
    Explain operation of various types of pumps
    Select appropriate style and size pump needed for specific application
    Determine the total GPM of piping system
    Determine the head pressure of the piping system
    Determine the operating point of a pump
    Determine pump efficiency at the operating point
    Determine net positive suction head for the pump
    Calculate GPM when RPM changes
    Calculate head pressure when RPM changes
    Calculate break horsepower when RPM changes

  7. Design hydronic distribution systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Test
    Project analysis
    Drawing/ Illustration
    Criteria
    Use appropriate calculations when given heating and cooling loads
    Design a series-loop hydronic pipe system
    Design a two pipe reverse return hydronic system
    Design work sheet is used appropriately with 80% accuracy with all selected components
    Calculate size of pipe for entire hydronic system so to allow for accurate flow rates

  8. Design a radiant floor hydronic heating system
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/ Illustration
    Project Work
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Complete a design worksheet with 80% accuracy in all areas
    Write a report with advantages and disadvantages of in-floor radiant heat
    Determine GPM for system

  9. Balance hydronic systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Written Test
    Criteria
    Explain water balancing process step by step
    Use flow charts to determine flow rates in each part of a piping system
    Explain operation of balancing valves
    Adjust flow rates to within 10% of design rate
    Operate a flow meter
    Complete a balancing report.
    Accurately measure and record temperature drop across both the evaporate and condenser coils

  10. Draw a steam piping system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Test
    Drawing/ Illustration
    Criteria
    Analyze system requirements
    Select system components
    Develop a steam drawing utilizing industry accepted symbols and practices
    Size all system piping

  11. Demonstrate steam boiler water treatment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Practical Exercise
    Criteria
    Complete tests with 80% accuracy
    Analyze condensation and the effect it has on boiler systems
    Research make up water and the importance of water treatment and preparation
    Describe how dissolved gasses and solids damage boilers
    Apply water analysis theory and procedures
    Demonstrate proper safe handling of water treatment chemicals
    Demonstrate procedures for adding chemicals to hydronic systems

  12. Overhaul a steam trap
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Practical Exercise
    Criteria
    Complete all tests with 80% accuracy
    Identify and analyze the causes of faulty steam traps
    Steam trap functions properly without leaks
    Summarize the benefits of steam trap maintenance
    Demonstrate removal, complete overhaul and installation of a steam trap

  13. Troubleshoot steam and hydronic systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Skills demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify sequence of operation
    Describe the functionality of individual components
    Demonstrate knowledge of system design
    Evaluate system performance as compared to manufacturer's specifications
    Determine if proper flow rates are being met in each part of the system
    Use personal tools and/or system-provided gauges and temperature probes to acquire specific data

  14. Demonstrate the use of work orders, refrigerant inventory reports and other commonly used documentation in the HVAC/R industry
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Completely and accurately fill out work orders for various pieces of equipment
    Completely and accurately fill out refrigerant inventory documentation
    Completely and accurately fill out repair invoices with flat rate fees or hourly fees using parts pricing lists
    Completely and accurately fill out job estimates to include man hour estimates

  15. Evaluate cooling towers, system components and their applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Written test
    Criteria
    Analyze various types of cooling towers and their applications
    Identify all components of various cooling tower systems and how they work
    Describe the sequence of operation of cooling tower systems to include flow of media through system
    Draw a cooling tower system
    Describe maintenance procedures on cooling tower systems
    Analyze water and the water treatment process

  16. Explain the benefits and limitations of the open loop piping system in chilled water applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Practical exercise
    Written test
    Criteria
    Analyze open loop systems and their components
    Illustrate the operational process of the open loop system
    Describe application of open loop systems
    Identify drawbacks and benefits of these type systems
    Explain measures that could be taken to mitigate the drawbacks of this type system

  17. Explain the benefits and limitations of the closed loop piping system in chilled water applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Written exercise
    Written test
    Criteria
    Analyze closed loop systems and their components
    Describe application of closed loop systems
    Illustrate the operational process of the closed loop system

  18. Determine chiller applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Written exercise
    Criteria
    Identify chiller equipment and associated components
    Describe the different types of chillers and how they function
    Explore the sequence of operation for various types of chillers
    Select appropriate chiller type to meet needs of applications

  19. Explain control systems for chiller applications
    Assessment Strategies
    Project analysis
    Written exercise
    Criteria
    Identify remote and local input variables
    Identify remote controlled and equipment controlled variables
    Assess operating parameters of chiller equipment and associated components
    Explore strategies for chiller control
    Analyze integration of control system to the chiller and chiller system equipment