Eaton, Reducing the Strain on JFK Airport

JFK Airport, well known as one of the world’s busiest, accommodates over 60 million passengers each year and has a workforce exceeding 35,000. The airport depends on a reliable, constantly running Heating, Air conditioning and Ventilation System (HVAC) to ensure comfort and safety. This system’s key challenge is to operate efficiently under all weather conditions. However, it faced problems due to high water flow rates, which brought about impurities and increased maintenance needs. To tackle these issues, JFK Airport sought the expertise of Eaton Corporation, a world-renowned power management solution provider. Eaton supplied a durable and efficient automatic self-cleaning strainer to solve these problems.

HVAC Systems critical for temperature control

JFK had a disruption to the normal flow of their operations. An extensive behind-the-scenes HVAC system ensures the well-being of passengers and staff. The reliability of this system, unaffected by varying weather conditions, is crucial. Its operation hinges on several large cooling towers in the airport’s central terminal area.

Space limitations and complicated equipment needs

Central to this operation are custom-designed strainers crafted to meet the intense requirements of the airport. These strainers can handle the task of processing 25,000 gallons of water per minute. Furthermore, they are designed to be both maintenance-free and automated, guaranteeing a seamless and continuous operation.

Limited Working Space

With limited space, compact water strainers that could integrate into the main water lines were the only solution. 

Strainers are essential for keeping the water flow clear of debris, reducing the chance for anything to go deeper into the piping system. Unwanted dirt and particles could block and damage the heat exchangers and chillers, compromising the efficiency and reliability of the HVAC system.

Selecting the appropriate hardware for the task

JFK eventually decided to go with Eaton for the job and picked their self-cleaning 36-inch strainer Model 2596. Designed to self-clean, significantly reducing maintenance costs. 

Christopher Gogola, the maintenance manager at JFK’s Energy Center, highlighted the crucial role of the Eaton strainer in continuously handling all the water necessary for powering JFK Airport for years. He emphasised the importance of uninterrupted power supply to the facility, noting that Eaton has been instrumental in achieving this goal.

Added Features

Eaton has incorporated an automatic control system in Model 2596 to oversee its operation and collect data. This model also features an automatic backwash strainer, which cleans a screen segment by reversing the flow while the rest of the screen filters, ensuring a steady water flow. These self-cleaning strainers require only a minimal amount of water for flushing. Their highly efficient design effectively removes debris from the strainer and expels it from the system.

Over a Decade and a half of continuous, hands-off operation

When Eaton engineers installed the strainers at JFK Airport, they aimed for an optimal design. The outcome was successful: the Eaton automatic strainer has provided continuous, maintenance-free service for the past 15 years. Christopher Gogola noted its durability and ability to operate autonomously, playing a crucial role in handling the airport’s water supply. Despite the usual delays and cancellations any busy airport faces, JFK has managed these challenges effectively, with the Eaton strainer ensuring passenger comfort through reliable temperature control systems.

Managing a major hub like John F. Kennedy International Airport, especially in maintaining crucial infrastructure, is significant. JFK is one of the world’s busiest airports and relies on robust and reliable systems. Eaton’s self-cleaning automatic backwash strainer has been a key component in this, ensuring a round-the-clock operation over the past 15 years. Eaton’s solution has provided consistent, hands-off water filtration, crucial to JFK’s ability to serve millions of travellers efficiently each year. This case underscores the value of investing in durable solutions like Eaton’s Model 2596 strainers for long-term, uninterrupted service.

If you would like to see for yourself the capabilities of Eaton’s strainer and filter solutions, or would like to know more about what we supply, please contact us and we would be happy to speak with you.