2012 POY Finalists: HVAC
Finalists in the HVAC category for the Plant Engineering 2012 Product of the Year competition.
Brittany Merchut
Airfoil fan system
Big Ass Fans’ Powerfoil X2.0 system combines patented airfoils and winglets with AirFence technology to increase the overall coverage. The winglet improves airfoil effectiveness through the elimination of turbulence at the tip, while the AirFence is able to capture air that would have slipped off the end of the airfoil. The Powerfoil X2.0 offering a 28% increase in coverage area is available in 8 ft to 24 ft diameters.
Modulation infrared heater
The MP Series of modulation infrared heaters allow users to select a desired operation for their specific needs through the incorporation of three performance curves, as well as a Blast Mode. The Blast Mode allows users to temporarily lock the heater into its highest input with an extra 5,000 BTU for extreme environmental demands. The models available in the MP Series range from 80,000 BTU to 200,000 BTU. The MP Series features full gas modulation with corresponding airflow modulation to allow for optimal fuel utilization.
Portable and adjustable fan
The Renegade series of HVLS fans are designed for improving air circulation in areas with overhead obstructions or limited ceiling access with a floor-mounted configuration. The HVLS fans are portable and can be moved when necessary and are also adjustable from 10 ft to 15 ft in height. The Renegade fans are designed with Rite-Hite’s Propell-Aire custom aluminum blades with a single unit circulating air covering up to 7,850 sq ft. The fans are available in 8 ft, 12 ft, and 16 ft diameters with optional SureStop Safety Barriers to protect against accidental contact.
Steam system software
Steam DesignPro was designed to meet the demands of mechanical engineers, designers, and contractors in the HVAC market. The software was created as a visual design tool through an easy, drag-and-drop method for designing and modeling HVAC steam systems. The Windows-based software allows for easy modeling of steam generation, steam distribution, steam utilization, and condensate-handling systems. Steam DesignPro supports compiling of equipment schedules based on the Spirax Sarco catalog. Additional features include the ability to select relief valves, flowmeters for steam and hydronic applications, and control valves.
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.