INNOVATIONS

All of us at ThermalTech would like to say THANK YOU to all of our friends and customers

and wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season!

TOP 10 INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING APPROACHES

We're counting down our Top 10 list in INNOVATIONS

#10 - Life-Cycle-Cost Based Decision-Making - October/November 2002

#9 - DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems) - December/January 2003

#8 - Radiant Cooling - February/March 2003

#7 - DALI Lighting Control Systems - April/May/June/July 2003

#6 - All-Variable-Speed (AVS) Chilled Water Plant - August/September 2003

#5 - Web-Based Collaboration and Archive Tools

Have you ever:

Tried to find the maintenance manual for your chiller, only to find that someone borrowed the only copy last year and never returned it?
Written an operating procedure but you can't remember where you put it?
Organized all of your facility files then had a flood or fire destroy your only copies?
Paid thousands of dollars to reproduce drawings and specs for bidders?
Used over-night delivery to send drawings across the country?

What if there was a Web site where you could:

View or download every drawing, specification, equipment manual, training procedure, and balancing report that was ever created for your facility
Upload a drawing or new training document
Exchange drawings electronically during design
Allow contractors to bid on projects without paying for reproduction charges
Let any staff person, vendor, and/or contractor have access to the documents you permit

Would that save you time, make your staff more efficient, allow you to respond to issues faster?

What we're describing is a combination "collaboration site" and "permanent archive" -- an electronic bank where you can make information deposits and withdrawals. There are many collaboration and extranet programs available (e.g., Autodesk's Buzzsaw, Bentley, Meridan's ProLog). In fact, Joel Orr tracks over 250 at http://www.extranetnews.com/the_list/TheList.htm that perform various functions. Most are quite expensive and intended only for the life of a construction project.

We've teamed with a national software firm to help our customers manage their data for the short and long terms: ThermalTech FACILITeBANK^TM. We can set up your web site any time before, during, or after a construction project. Use it to exchange files during a project. Add content over time. Once created, the site exists forever -- a permanent archive of all your important facility management data.

We'll maintain the site for you and you or we can add content to it at any time. The setup costs and storage charges are quite low. The data is secure. Any number of people can access the site from any Web browser without paying additional licensing fees.

FACILITeBANK^TM-- one more way that the Web is improving the way facilities are managed.

Project Spotlight: Cimcool Utility Plant

ThermalTech is completing an Engineer-Led Turnkey^TM utility plant for CIMCOOL, a division of Milacron Inc. CIMCOOL is a world leader in the production of synthetic, semi-synthetic, and soluble oil metal-working fluids.

PROJECT TEAM:

ThermalTech Engineering - mech/elect engineering, construction mgmt
Truman P. Young & Associates - structural engineering
Speer & Associates, Inc. - permitting assistance

PROJECT SCOPE:

New Utility Plant including pre-manufactured steel building, site improvements, four 200 HP steam boilers, deaerator, boiler feed pumps, condensate return tank and pumps, two 125 HP air compressors, make up air unit, power distribution, lighting, sprinkler and fire alarm systems, and PLC control system.

New boilers being rigged
before building is erected

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:

Design, permitting, bidding, contractor selection, and pre-purchase of equipment began in August, 2003.

System commissioning complete by December 31, 2003.

Air Handler being raised to the roof

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Digital control system with WonderWare interface (completely built and programmed by ThermalTech) allows plant operators to monitor and control the plant from any dial-up connection
Energy recovery from air compressors heats building in the winter
Building pressure controlled to meet needs of boiler combustion air and space temperature (saves energy)
Numerous additional tasks were turn-keyed for the owner during the construction process (parking lot paving, parking lot lighting, high voltage electric upgrade)

Expansion tank being set into place

What's New at ThermalTech?

ThermalTech proudly welcomes the following new professional staff:

Tom Gale, P.E.

Tom recently joined our Cincinnati office as a project engineer. He has a BSME from Brown University and 18+ years experience in design, project management, and technical sales. He has a strong background in large labs, healthcare, and manufacturing facilities.

Other News:

ThermalTech's Paul Householder, P.E. recently received ASHRAE's Lifetime Member Award. Paul has devoted over 40 years to the consulting engineering profession. Over the years, he has held several offices including treasurer, secretary, president-elect, and president of the Cincinnati ASHRAE Chapter. Paul also served on the Program Committee. Congratulations Paul!

Better Design: Our Commitment to High Performance

We are excited about the potential that “Green” design holds for the building industry. High-performance / green / sustainable design creates a more positive impact on the outdoor and indoor environments throughout a building's life.

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is the recognized leader in the promotion and development of green design. Four of our staff participated in the recent International Convention in Pittsburgh. A major theme of the convention was sharing the positive financial results of many completed projects.

High-performance design is gaining popularity quickly among industry professionals (owners, architects, engineers, and manufacturers). The convention drew over 6,000 people, a 75% increase over last year.

ThermalTech is committed to delivering high-performance design, construction, and operations solutions on every one of our projects. We're helping to advance the science through membership in USGBC, helping to establish the Cincinnati USGBC Chapter, and by researching and applying the very latest technologies.

Exhibit Hall-latest products available to building industry

Hybrid powered car given away during convention

Lunch in daylit exhibit hall-David Lawrence Convention Center

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