Distribution
Distribution Heading link
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Steam
Steam is distributed to the campus from the West Campus Power Plant at a temperature of 400°F and a pressure of 150 psig via a distribution piping network. This piping system is primarily routed through buried utility tunnels, but portions of direct-buried piping as well as piping within sections of buried shallow trenches also exist. Steam is available year-round and serves both the building heating and process needs for the campus, UIC Medical Center, and Rush Medical Center. Steam is delivered to each building at local pressure-reducing stations which then distributes through a network of radiators, water-heating systems, and heat exchangers. After the steam has been utilized, the remaining condensate is metered and returned to the plant.
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Chilled Water
Chilled Water (CHW) is distributed to the campus via two independent loops: the East Campus CHW system and the West Campus CHW system. This piping system consists primarily of direct-buried piping. CHW is available year-round on the West Campus, and during the summer months on the East Campus. CHW is delivered to each building using a variety of building interface approaches. CHW systems within buildings are to be designed for a CHW temperature differential of 14°F minimum, with an operating temperature that ranges from 40-54°F at 130 psig. When CHW has been utilized, it is recirculated and brought back to the plants.
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High-Temperature Hot Water
High-Temperature Hot Water (HTHW) is distributed to campus from the East Campus Power Plant at a temperature of 400°F and a pressure of 350 psig via a looped piping system. This piping system consists of direct-buried piping as well as piping within sections of buried shallow trenches. HTHW is available year-round and serves both the building heating and domestic hot water generation needs of the campus buildings. HTHW is delivered to each building at shell-and-tube heat exchangers that are used to produce lower temperature hot water from the HTHW source. The lower temperature hot water is much safer to distribute throughout a building.
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Electrical
The West Campus is interconnected to the East Campus through two 69 kilovolts (kV) tie line down Roosevelt Road that allows a high degree of flexibility and reliability between the two campuses. Power is distributed at 12.47 kV and stepped down to 480 V at building level.
On the west side of campus, the West DC bus supplies load centers 1 through 9 with redundant loop feeders. Each switchgear lineup for load center 1through 9 are also configured with main-tie-main breakers. Building and loads are fed radially from the load centers.
On the east side of campus, the East DC bus supplies a number of distribution loops. These loops are also redundant, meaning they are sourced from each side of the tie breaker. There is a normally open point in the loop that can be moved to resolve outages and do maintenance as required.