Solar Power Cells, Hot Water, Energy, Collectors

He's the boss of steam loss

01.01.70

Kennedy – the sole proprietor of D & R Murphy Steam Specialties with an office in West Pittston – has been helping large and small businesses and government agencies detect and stop steam leaks in the heating and hot water systems of their large buildings for 25 years.

From Alaska to New York City to North Carolina, he has crawled around tunnels and mechanical rooms in prisons, colleges, nursing homes, manufacturing plants, office complexes and other large buildings doing what are known in the industry as “steam trap audits.”

Kennedy works either directly for the entities owning the buildings or, as in the case of government buildings, for the largest energy companies in the world known as ESCOs.

Using what he describes as an ultrasonic stethoscope Kennedy – who is also a representative of the device manufacturer – listens to steam traps to determine if they are operating properly. When a faulty steam trap is detected, it’s tagged or painted. Kennedy then prepares a report showing the tag number, trap location, type of failure, and cost analysis.

Source: Wilkes Barre Times-Leader