Montreal, February 19, 2013 - Sofame Technologies is pleased to announce that its novel Heat Recovery System will lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a truly healing environment in Montreal at the new McGill University Health Centre hospital. As a public institution and a member of the community, it is important to the MUHC to make sure that both patients and the environment receive the care and respect they deserve.                 

New 2.4 MM sq. ft. MUHC Glen site

When Montreal-based distributors, Enviroair, met the consulting

engineering firm to discuss plans for the new 2.4-million sq. ft. MUHC Glen site, one of the priorities was to determine how best to maximize heating efficiency while ensuring the lowest possible energy costs. The stated objective was to achieve a solid 20% in yearly energy savings, results that will be measured after the startup, and this is precisely what the team was aiming for.

The answer to their energy performance and cost savings requirements was found through Sofame Technologies, a Montreal company which is a pioneer in industrial heat recovery from boilers and turbine exhaust. In fact, the unit chosen was the very same type of direct-contact stack economizer used by numerous other hospitals to achieve up to 98% heating efficiency. A Percotherm® direct-contact stack economizer, designed and manufactured by Sofame in Quebec, would be linked to the hospital complex's three hot water boilers and three steam boilers, and integrated seamlessly in the sophisticated climate control system. At thirteen feet in diameter and serving MUHC Glen site's 3,800 horse power boiler capacity, this Percotherm® would be one of the largest in Canada.

According to the consulting engineering firm, long before the start-up of construction, it was understood that every decision pertaining to equipment for the power plant had to be based on proven performance and long-term, glitch-free durability.

The Percotherm® direct-contact stack economizer recuperates the residual heat contained in a boiler's flue gas and transfers the heat to a cold water stream. Hot water is produced at temperatures as high as 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Cool water enters the unit at the top and is then uniformly distributed over the upper chamber through a layer of stainless steel nodules which constitutes the heat transfer zone. The water percolates down through the packing where in comes into direct contact with the rising hot products of combustion. Both the sensible and the latent heat contained in the gases are transferred to the water. 

The system designed includes three dampers, one induced draft fan, one variable speed drive, plus a state-of-the-art computerized control panel with operator touch screen. The first firing of the boilers is scheduled for spring 2013.

Adds Luc Mandeville, Sofame's Vice-President of Technology, "Without a doubt the Percotherm® will deliver the environmental performance that the MUHC's Glen site is counting on, and also significant operating cost savings. We have custom-manufactured dozens of similar units and performance reviews are invariably outstanding."

MUHC's Glen site will adhere to stringent environmental standards (LEED® Silver certification and BOMA BESt) and favour sustainable development, energy savings, healthy air flow, efficient water use, waste reduction, recycling and green operations. Sofame, with the installation of its novel heat recovery system to lower energy costs and carbon emissions, is proud to contribute to the high environmental standards at the Glen site.