Online Correspondence Class – 2.5 PDH Credits
The purpose of this course is to understand the thermodynamic properties of steam, which affect the design and operation of steam heating systems and process steam systems. An understanding of the basic thermodynamics of steam allows us to properly size equipment and to design suitable piping systems. It also allows us to make informed decisions affecting the energy usage of the system.

Online Correspondence Class – 2.0 PDH Credits
Improper piping of steam equipment, and failure to properly consider steam's thermodynamic properties and the effects of the bi-phase steam system, often results in early equipment failure and wasted energy. This course highlights some important details (and principles behind the details) as way to avoid these issues. Part I of the course discusses steam hammer and how to avoid it, proper piping of heat transfer equipment (with concentration on steam coils and shell and tube heat exchangers), and air venting. Part II addresses various ways to utilize heat in high temperature condensate, which might otherwise be lost as wasted flash steam. Three short videos supplement the course to support the written material. At the conclusion of the course, the student should have a better understanding of some of the ways that proper design can result in better equipment life and better use of steam's energy.

Online Correspondence Class – 2.0 PDH Credits
The purpose of this course is to provide the engineer with a good understanding of the factors involved in proper selection and application of condensate return units and boiler feed units. Proper selection and application lead to a properly-functioning system, one that consumes minimal energy and one that avoids undue maintenance costs. This course covers sizing of receivers and pumps, avoiding pump cavitation, material options, accessory selection, and application details. It covers both motor driven condensate pumps and pressure-powered pumps. It also discusses atmospherically-vented units vs. pressurized units. For optimum understanding, the student should have good understanding regarding the thermodynamics of steam, through past experience, or as presented in our course STM-100.

Online Correspondence Class – 2.5 PDH Credits
This course is designed to review the role of centrifugal pumps in hydronic systems, outline how centrifugal pumps move liquid, discuss the role and the construction of components of centrifugal pumps, discuss the different types of pumps used in hydronic applications, present some advantages and disadvantages of various pump types. The goal is to provide sufficient knowledge about centrifugal pumps to allow the system designer to select the proper pump type for a given project.

Online Correspondence Class – 3.0 PDH Credits
The heart of a hydronic system is the pump. To make a sound pump selection, the system designer must be able to determine the flow of the system and the head, sometimes called total dynamic head (TDH) required of the pump. As opposed to a carelessly or inappropriately sized pump, a properly sized pump utilizes less energy, requires less maintenance, and may be quieter to operate. The purpose of this course is to discuss the factors involved in defining pump requirements properly.

Online Correspondence Class – 2.5 PDH Credits
The purpose of this course is to discuss the factors that go into making a proper pump selection. After taking the course, the student should understand how to read a pump curve, how to properly evaluate computer-generated pump selections, how to avoid net positive suction head issues and how to correct curves that are based on water for the presence of glycol solutions. In addition, a video teaches the student how to determine the point of pump operation in the field using a pressure gauge and a pump curve.

Online Correspondence Class – 2.5 PDH Credits
This course will present the reasons that expansion tanks and air separators are required accessories in hydronic systems. Application factors are discussed, including factors involved in selection and sizing. Properly applied/located expansion tanks and air separators reduce corrosion, keep unsafe system pressures from occurring and can prevent early equipment failure resulting in considerable economic benefit.

Online Correspondence Class – 1.5 PDH Credits
System curve is an important concept in understanding how pumps interact with the systems in which they are installed. System curve is especially important in understanding multiple pump systems and variable speed pumping systems, both of which are covered in courses to follow (HYD-150 and HYD-160). However, even in single pump systems, understanding the system curve can help the engineer optimize pump selections, particularly as it affects the "non-overloading specification." This course establishes a base level knowledge required for understanding of those topics.

Online Correspondence Class – 1.0 PDH Credits
Parallel pumping provides a good strategy for saving pumping energy at part load flow rates. Properly implementing a parallel strategy requires analysis using the system curve. The objective of this session is to present the tools for this analysis. Included are the special considerations required for selecting parallel pumps, including precautions required in using dissimilar pumps. Both closed and open system applications are presented. A brief section on series regarding series pumping is included, as well.

Online Correspondence Class – 3.0 PDH Credits
Most pumping problems occur due to a deficiency on the suction side of the pump. The objective of this course is to provide guidelines to help avoid these problems. Part I of the course covers NPSH and NPSH safety margins, the role of entrained and dissolved air in creating suction-related problems, and guidelines for proper suction piping. Part II focuses on sump design, and though it is oriented toward indoor cooling tower sumps, the principles presented hold true for any sump that serves the suction side of a pump or pumps. Included are discussions of retention time, air release, providing steady, uniform flow to pump suction connections, and the avoidance of vortex creation. A brief look at suction structures is included. At the completion of the course, the student should possess a good understanding of proper suction-side design and how to avoid many of the common pitfalls that result in field problems. Note that emphasis is on HVAC and general industrial applications, as opposed to municipal/wastewater, although most principles discussed are universal.