University Replaces Coal Boilers With Natural Gas

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Kutztown University is being heated with cleaner technology, following the installation of a new boiler plant at the campus.

Construction and commissioning for the $10 million plant was completed in September, in time for winter when the temperature regularly dips below freezing.

The plant includes three 30,000 pound-per-hour steam boilers that are fueled by natural gas or No. 2 fuel oil. A maintenance/machine shop, offices for facilities staff, a control room and a conference room were also included during construction.

The previous central boiler plant was originally constructed in 1936, with renovations in 1948 and 1982. It included five coal-fired boilers that struggled to meet campus needs as the student population expanded by 30 percent during the last 10 years.

As it became apparent that the system was aging and becoming inefficient, the university hired Entech Engineering Inc., of Reading, Pa., to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate options to renovate and expand the plant.

The new boiler plant at Kutztown University was built on the edge of campus away from high-traffic areas. The new boilers are expected to reduce the university’s carbon emissions by 2,255 tons.

The study found that renovations would have been possible, but difficult because the plant building was aging and cramped, and much of the equipment in use was in need of replacement. Environmental regulations would have also made it difficult to expand capacity with new coal boilers.

Instead of expanding, the university decided to build a new plant at the edge of the campus, which was a more environmentally friendly option that was beneficial in several ways. An estimated 2,255 tons of carbon will no longer be released into the atmosphere through stack emissions, according to officials.

The new plant only requires six employees to operate it — half as many as the previous plant — and because much of the plant operates on automated systems, those employees can focus on maintaining the distribution system.

The location of the new plant is also more ideal than the previous facility, which was in a high-traffic area with pedestrians. The new plant was designed with a contemporary look that fits with existing campus architecture.

Despite the numerous benefits, school officials had reservations about abandoning the use of coal to heat the campus. the natural gas and oil used at the new facility is more expensive and coal mining is a major component of the economy in nearby Schuylkill County. however, the cost to install and operate the equipment is less expensive.