Hot Water Heating Elements

Planning continues for Willmar Municipal Utilities power plant improvements

By: David Little , West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — Willmar Municipal Utilities hopes to construct a building next to the power plant to store coal and eliminate dust and storm water runoff concerns. The project is among improvements, including new emission controls, being proposed for the plant.

The plant burns gas and coal to generate electricity and provide hot water for the central heating district. Coal is piled outdoors near the north side of the plant and is subject to storm water runoff and dust issues.

General Manager Bruce Gomm said the utility has been concerned about environmental issues associated with storing coal outdoors. He said engineering work has begun on this project. The facility will cover a portion of Pacific Avenue that was vacated by the City Council.

“Our intent is to construct a building over that pile so that we can control the climate and mitigate those issues,’’ Gomm said.

The building will increase the supply on hand from one month to about four months. The larger supply will enable the utility to deal with temporary interruptions. One such interruption occurred last January when several carloads of wet coal arrived that could only be removed with much effort in large, frozen and unusable chunks.

The mines took back the coal.

These are the only mines, however, that can supply the type of coal that complies with Willmar’s boiler restrictions. The boiler cannot burn coal that is above a certain level of sodium. The sodium condenses and corrodes the dust collector tubes.

“This again is one of the reasons why I am really pushing for the project because if we do the power plant upgrade, we will put a new dust collector in that won’t have that issue,’’ Gomm said. “With the upgrades, the utility will be able to buy coal from anywhere. Hopefully, if we have problems with one supplier, we can switch to another supplier on the go.’’

All improvements are contingent upon approval of the utility’s air quality permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The utility is unable to modify the plant without having a permit in hand. Gomm said he’s cautiously optimistic the utility will receive the permit this year.

Hot-Water Heater Cash-Saver! One Easy Step. | Practically Green

Have you ever thought about your home’s water temperature? I mean REALLY thought…. aside of “there better be enough hot water for my bath and my glass of red wine to sit in tonight”?

Well, truth be told, I had not either! I mean, my husband did — he always takes care of the temperature of this and that, setting thermostats, adjusting the furnace and all that “man-stuff” like taking out the trash. I am totally not labeling jobs as “sex-specific” but this is just the way it works out for our family! (Note To Self: add “rub wife’s feet” to hubby’s man-job list.)

Okay so now I feel a bit ashamed that I had not thought of this – so to make up for it, I am going to make sure I get the word out via Practically Green ! As with everything in the world of green living, I fully support the “do your best, small steps matter” theory and recognize this as just another step in a greener direction! *glass is half full.*

So yes, water temperature DOES matter and not only does it protect your small children by safe-guarding their bathtime from burns or scalding of TOO hot of water…it’s eco-smart too! By lowering your water temperature by just 10 degrees, you can save in your energy costs by 3% – 5% as well. By reducing your thermostat below 120 degrees, you will have less corrosion and mineral buildup in your pipes and inside the water  heater itself – helping to maximize efficiency and extend the life of your water heater!

In order to turn down the water temperature on your hot-water heater, you must first locate the water heater in your house. The water heater is usually a large, white storage tank with a couple of main pipes sticking out of it. The pipes lead to a furnace or boiler and to your home’s water distribution (piping) system. Look for a temperature-control knob along the side of the water heater.

In most cases, the control will allow you to switch the setting to ‘warm’ or something similar, rather than to another temperature. Do this and you should be all set. To test if this action actually brought the water temperature down to 120 degrees, you can run the hot water at a faucet that is furthest from the water heater in your house and take the water temperature with a thermometer.

“Consult your water heater owner’s manual for instructions on how to operate the thermostat. You can find a thermostat dial for a gas storage water heater near the bottom of the tank on the gas valve. Electric water heaters, on the other hand, may have thermostats positioned behind screw-on plates or panels. As a safety precaution, shut off the electricity to the water heater before removing/opening the panels. Keep in mind that an electric water heater may have two thermostats—one each for the upper and lower heating elements.

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