National Library and Public Archives – Neptronic

The National Library and Public Archives (NLPA) in Ottawa is part of the federal “Energy Savings & Acquisition Program” (ESAP), which includes 80 buildings in Ottawa served by the ESAP district energy system. This initiative aims to modernize outdated heating and cooling systems, reduce greenhouse gases, and save money. Our team at O’Dell Associates played a crucial role in this effort by upgrading the NLPA’s humidification system.

Challenges

Many federal buildings in Ottawa, including the NLPA, are fed by the central heating plant at Cliff Street, which is undergoing a conversion from steam generation to lower-temperature water as part of the ESAP. This necessitated retrofitting buildings that relied on steam with local steam generation. The NLPA, housing over 54 million records, requires precise control over air conditions and humidity levels to ensure the longevity of its archives.

The Solution

To address the NLPA’s need for accurate humidity control and to save energy costs, we offloaded the humidification requirements to dedicated electric steam boilers installed within the facility. We recommended the Neptronic SKD, direct injection humidifiers, as they were a perfect fit for dispersing steam in the space.

Our Approach

Our office worked closely with FVB Energy on the initial design, which included eight direct injection manifolds and four smaller units. The Neptronic SKD units were installed directly onto existing ductwork, with all required controls, steam valves, traps, and separators manufactured by Neptronic and supplied by us. This comprehensive and collaborative approach ensured a seamless integration with the NLPA’s existing infrastructure.

Conclusion