Pipe cleaning begins at Charter Street Heating Plant
An artist’s rendering of the Charter Street Heating Plant Rebuild project. Image: Facilities Planning & Management
As part of the ongoing Charter Street Heating Plant Rebuild Project, a “steam blow” will be conducted at the plant beginning May 20.
The purpose of the procedure is to clean steam piping that runs from new boilers to the plant’s steam turbine generator, which requires incoming steam to be free of any loose materials.
The steam will be routed through a silencer and quenched with water. Throughout the process, a plume of white water vapor will be released and be visible from the surrounding areas.
Steam and noise are expected, and are both a normal part of the process.
While the noise is expected to be within city restrictions at the plant’s property line, people in the area may notice some additional noise during the process. The process may run continuously from 1 p.m. Monday, May 20 through 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30.