Steam End User Training

The BestPractices Steam End User Training one-day workshop instruction is now also offered in a self-paced e-learning format to facilitate more opportunities for the training event and to expand the audience past the Save Energy Now participants.

This course covers the operation of typical steam systems and discusses methods of system efficiency improvement. A brief demonstration of the BestPractices Steam System Tool Suite software is highlighted to help identify and quantify savings from selected potential improvement examples. The training is designed for plant personnel, such as energy managers, steam system supervisors, engineers, and equipment operators, who have steam system responsibilities in industrial and institutional plants. The course covers these key areas of potential system improvement:

  • Introduction (SSST)
    • Steam in the US Industry
    • Understanding the Driving Forces
    • Starting a Steam Investigation
  • Steam Generation Efficiency (SSAT)
    • Boiler Efficiency Definition
    • Shell Losses
    • Blowdown Losses
    • Stack Losses
  • Resource Utilization Analysis (SSAT)
    • Fuel Selection
    • Steam Demands
    • Combined Heat and Power / Cogeneration
  • Steam Distribution System Losses (3E-Plus)
    • Steam Traps
    • Insulation
    • Condensate

The BestPractices Steam System Tool Suite includes Steam System Scoping Tool (SSST), the Steam System Assessment Tool (SSAT), and the 3E-Plus Insulation Tool (3E-Plus). The software tools are available as a free download from the BestPractices Resources.

Training Course
The training course will begin with a navigational tutorial to guide you on how to move through the modules. Each training module will cover several topics and utilize examples. An interactive quiz will be used to test your basic understanding of steam systems after you complete the course.
After loading, each module will play automatically, but you can rewind, fast forward, pause, and navigate to any area of the course. When training is completed, use your browser's back button to return to the Web site to send your comments.

This e-learning course requires the Adobe Flash Player. Download Adobe Flash Player. Supporting documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Individual Modules
You may also view training modules individually. If you are not viewing the entire training course, you may wish to review the Quick Reference Guide (PDF 291KB) above before beginning a module or quiz.

Closed Captioning Option

This course uses closed captioning to review the narrative for each screen. Please refer to the Quick Reference Guide above for the location of the 'CC' toggle feature on the navigational tool bar of the course. You will need to set the closed captioning option upon beginning each module.
A text-only version of the training course is also available for download below.

Alternate Text Version

The Steam End User Training Guide (PDF, 217 p, 1 MB) provides the detailed narrative script and graphic descriptions for the entire Steam System End-User Training Course.

You may also download the alternate text version for a specific training module.

Companion Document

The Steam System Survey Guide provides technical information to improve the energy efficiency and productivity of steam systems through system profiling and quantification of potential impacts.  This guide can be useful as a companion document to the training course.

End of Course Quiz

This end of course quiz will be used to test your understanding of the Steam System Basics identified in this Steam End User Training E-Learning course.  Your quiz will not be scored, but you will be assisted to make sure you complete the quiz correctly as the conclusion to your training course.  If there are areas of the quiz in which you have difficulty, please review the appropriate modules again.

Feedback

Please provide your feedback and comments to Melissa Madgett (865-576-3373) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.