Spaulding High School Biomass Boiler

Barre, Vermont

Engineering services, project management, and cost control for award-winning biofuel project. Design and specifications for providing the school (220,000 sf) with wood chip heating capabilities. Provided full evaluation of available wood chip boiler systems in collaboration with the Barre Supervisory Union and presented an evaluation matrix and recommendations. Siting of the wood chip boiler adjacent to the existing boiler house enabled the use of existing pumps, piping, and valves to deliver heating hot water from the wood chip boiler to the existing hydronic heating system. The project approach included innovative design of the heat exchanger system to avoid flow disparities and irregularities between the new and existing pumping systems without expensive reconfiguration. Design included separate pumping and underground distribution piping system to serve remote gymnasium and support building. Provided permitting services to obtain a State of Vermont Air Quality Permit. The design integrated the wood chip boiler system with the design of a remote boiler house to provide the school with the benefits of a single competitively bid construction project.