ERB Steam Solutions...since 1975
Our bias is to the owners and optimizing steam systems delivering best practices that integrates performance, service-life and economy. Services include Expert Witness, Energy Surveys, Audits, Construction Supervision, and Engineering Design for Steam and Heat Transfer systems. Technical Training for End Users, Sales Training for Distributors and Wholesalers.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Product and Services Line Card 2019
Labels:
Armstrong,
audits,
Beverage,
Boilers,
Carryover,
CIP,
commissioning,
Compressed Air,
compressor,
compressors,
ConBraco,
Consolidated,
consulting,
Cooker,
Cooking,
COP,
Direct Steam Injection,
DSI,
Dynafluid
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
SilverLine™ Cooking System Replaces Kettles
what’s best for the food
a continuous food and beverage processing system

The SilverLine is a streamlined, self contained, polished stainless system designed to cook recipes exactly as specified. Its simple design and appearance are deceptive. This one device encompasses thousands of hours of engineering boiled down into one superior, dynamic machine. It has been touted as the most advanced food and beverage processing system on the planet and has been revered by respected leaders in the commercial food and beverage industries.
Bryn Craggs, food scientist, owner of Beech Royd Consultancy, and 30 year veteran of the commercial food industry remarked, “The most meaningful benefit of the SilverLine is the increase in productivity that it provides. You can cook food with less equipment, time, maintenance and floor space.”
The SilverLine also delivers extremely consistent quality in every run. Imagine having meticulously predictable results in a cooking system that drives up productivity and shreds maintenance costs up to 50%. Imagine a system so well designed that it defines a new benchmark for internal and external hygiene. The SilverLine continuously processes food and beverages more efficiently, consistently and hygienically than any other solution on the market.
For more information, contact Rick Bockwinkel at Bock@erbsteam.com
Or call: 913-579-7688
Labels:
Beverage,
Cooker,
Cooking,
Food,
Heat Exchangers,
Hydro-Thermal,
Kettle,
Kitchen,
Petfood,
Recipe,
Recipes,
Sauce,
SilverLine,
Soup,
STEAM,
Trough Cooker
Friday, January 26, 2018
Direct Steam Injection the Hydro-Thermal way...
Direct Steam Injection is a highly efficient technique for heating fluids. And, by using the sonic velocity of steam as exclusively offered by Hydro-Thermal rather than MODULATING the steam supply....efficiency, reliability, accuracy and durability are achieved.
The heart of the system features a diffuser that is characterized to achieve your temperature and flow requirements. Compact? Extremely! And compared to a shell and tube heat exchanger, or a plate and frame heat exchanger...the cost is significantly less. The installation does not require steam traps, condensate pumps and other components that tend to fail or compromise the performance.
Excellent for CIP, COP, tempered water generation, washdown applications and more...
For more information contact:
Richard Bockwinkel
913-579-7688
Labels:
CIP,
COP,
Direct Steam Injection,
DSI,
Heat Exchangers,
Hot Water,
Pick Heater,
Reboilers,
STEAM,
Tempered Water,
Washdown Station
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Steam / Water Mixing Valve. Washdown and Process Tempered Water instantaneously...safely.
For a FREE TRIAL call Rick Bockwinkel
Cell: 913-579-7688
Instantaneous HOT Water
SAFE
Typically Used for Washdown, CIP, COP applications
Wide Range of Flows
Labels:
CIP,
COP,
DSI,
Dynafluid,
Hose Station.,
Hot Water,
STEAM,
steam water mixing valve,
Strahman,
Tempered Water,
Washdown Station
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Steam...under New York
Fascinating video of steam UNDER New York tells of how STEAM touches virtually everything in our life...every day...
Click this --> STEAM
Click this --> STEAM
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Instant Tempered Fluids with Direct Steam Injection...
Labels:
CIP,
COP,
DSI,
Emech,
Energy Conservation,
Heat Exchangers,
Hot Water,
Komax,
Pick Heater,
STEAM,
Tempered Water,
Washdown Station
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Compressed Air Piping Systems from AirPIPE
For compressed air and Inert Gas systems
Contact Rick Bockwinkel
Cell 913-579-7688
Labels:
Compressed Air,
compressor,
compressors,
Energy Savings,
Inert Gas,
Piping
Friday, September 11, 2015
STEAM TRAP SURVEYS...Keeping you on the path of peak energy optimization.
Achieving Steam Energy BEST PRACTICES
Start with Steam Traps...and look upstream and downstream for collateral opportunities to hone your competitive advantage.
A client with 3,500 steam traps did a Phase I, survey/repair in 2010.
In 2011...Phase II. In 2011 the client reports saving NET $1,000/day attributed to this steam trap survey/repair program.
This program not only pays back under a year, each year...and each phase...
...it improves safety, advances MTBFs while boosting production throughput via improved heat transfer and reliability.
In 2011...Phase II. In 2011 the client reports saving NET $1,000/day attributed to this steam trap survey/repair program.
This program not only pays back under a year, each year...and each phase...
...it improves safety, advances MTBFs while boosting production throughput via improved heat transfer and reliability.
To Download PDF version of the RFQ Application
click --> STS-ERB
- Site-wide steam trap study (more deliverables than a performance survey)
- Audit of Specifications
- Audit of Standards
- Audit of Purchases/Warehouse stock
- Development of integrated solutions
Several other scopes are available:
- Baseline
- Benchmark
- Audit
- Pass/Fail
- Performance
- Turnkey
Please call or email me to arrange a no obligation estimate/presentation.
Rick Bockwinkel
913.579.7688
Monday, June 2, 2014
General Reference: OSHA Personnel Protection Standards relating to high temperature surfaces.
General Reference:
OSHA Personnel Protection Standards relating to high temperature
surfaces.
OSHA does consider exposed heated surfaces, if
there is a potential for injury, to be a hazard and will issue citations if
employees can come into contact with such surfaces. While there are not any
OSHA standards, except those that are applicable only to specific industries,
which address exposed heated surfaces, there are several OSHA general
standards, which address such hazards. Those standards are:
1910.261(k)(11):
Steam and hot-water pipes. All
exposed steam and hot-water pipes within 7 feet of the floor or working
platform or within 15 inches measured horizontally from stairways, ramps, or
fixed ladders shall be covered with an insulating material, or guarded in such
manner as to prevent contact.
1910.262(c)(9):
Steam pipes. All pipes carrying steam or
hot water for process or servicing machinery, when exposed to contact and
located within seven feet of the floor or working platform shall be covered
with a heat-insulating material, or otherwise properly guarded.
1910.23(c)(3):
Regardless of height, open-sided floors, walkways,
platforms, or runaways above or adjacent to dangerous equipment, pickling or
galvanizing tanks, de-greasing units, and similar hazards shall be guarded with
a standard railing and toe board.
1910.147: The control of hazardous
energy (lockout/tagout) standard covers hazardous energy, including thermal,
during the servicing and maintenance of machines or equipment. Thermal energy
may be dissipated or controlled, and it is the result of mechanical work,
radiation, or electrical resistance. This standard addresses practices and
procedures that are necessary to disable machinery or equipment and to prevent
the release of potentially hazardous energy while maintenance and servicing
activities are performed.
1910.132(a):
Protective equipment, including personal
protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective
clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be
provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it
is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical
hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner
capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body
through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
The personal protective equipment standard would
apply to hot surfaces where the hazards have not been eliminated through
engineering or administrative controls. This standard requires employers to
assess the workplace to determine if hazards that require the use of PPE are
present or is likely to be present. The employer must select and have affected
employees use properly fitted PPE suitable for protection against these
hazards, as well as provide employee training and conduct periodic inspections
to assure procedures are being followed. Suitable thermal protection would be
necessary to provide employees with thermal insulation from hazardous hot pipe
surfaces.
Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHAct:
Each employer shall furnish to each of his
employees employment and a place of employment that are free from recognized
hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm
to his employees.
The private sector has specifically addressed the
issue of exposed heated surfaces. The national consensus standard,
"Standard Guide for Heated System Conditions that Produce Contact Burn
Injuries (C 1055-92)," issued by the American Society for Testing
Materials (ASTM)1
addresses this issue. The standard establishes a means by which the engineer,
designer, or operator can determine the acceptable surface temperature of an
existing system where skin contact may be made with a heated surface. Personal
injury resulting from contact with heated surfaces can be prevented by proper
design of insulation systems or the usage of other protective measures. A copy
of that standard has been enclosed for your information.
Also, ANSI A13.1-1975, "Scheme for the
Identification of Piping Systems," issued by the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers2, is
enclosed. This standard specifies the identification of the contents of piping
systems on the basis of legends and color to warn personnel of outstanding
hazards inherent in the materials involved.
Finally, enclosed is an article, "Preventing
Burns from Insulated Pipes."3 It
answers the question: "What is an acceptable temperature to ensure that no
skin burn will occur if a surface is touched?" The article is based on
guidelines given by the National Insulation Manufacturers Association (NIMA)
and gives the amount of insulation needed to ensure that the acceptable
temperature is not exceeded.
1 "Standard Guide for
Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries (C
1055-92)." American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.
2 Scheme for the Identification
of Piping Systems, ANSI A13.1-1975, American National Standards Institute. New
York, NY: American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
3 "Preventing Burns from
Insulated Pipes," Chemical Engineering, Vol. 88, No. 15 (July 27, 1981),
pp. 58-64.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Heat Shield. Safety-driven. Saving Energy.
Heat Shield is a Shannon - Insultech Product designed for steam systems.
Providing safety and energy savings with paybacks under one year.
Check out this video--> Heat Shield for Steam Traps
For a FREE estimate...send your most recent steam trap survey data (Excel, CSV or PDF formats) to:
Richard Bockwinkel
Monday, March 3, 2014
Steam Trap AUDITS are not Steam Trap SURVEYS
When it comes to steam trap services, be careful about using the words "SURVEY" and "AUDIT" interchangeably. There is a difference.
A Survey mandates a physical inspection…whereas an AUDIT is a study of a SURVEY.
So…what's the POINT?
If you have had a Steam Trap Survey and don't know what to do with it, we can help.
Send me your steam trap survey as an editable file (i.e. Excel format) or in a PDF format and I will provide you a QUICK audit of that data and a one page summary of observations and opportunities.
No obligation...
Rick Bockwinkel
Specializing in Steam Systems Optimization since 1975
RapidFAX: 1-866-610-3477 (you must dial the "1")
Labels:
Armstrong,
audits,
Best Practices,
energy audits,
Energy Conservation,
Saving Energy,
Services,
Spirax Sarco,
STEAM,
steam trap audits,
Steam Trap Surveying,
Surveys,
Tips and Tricks,
Training
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Safety Relief Valve Surveys and Services
Remanufactured Safety Relief Valves
Save you money, time...
Call Rick Bockwinkel: 913-579-7688
eMail --> Safety Relief Valve Inquiries / Quotes
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Best Practices: Steam Control Valve Installation Illustration
The illustration provided is accurate with regard to componentry and sequencing.
However, what is not shown is SIZING and SPECIFICATIONS. Sizing and Specifications are often times compromised by sub-optimal installation practices.
ERB and Associates specializes in coordinating the installation and commissioning phase of projects to ensure performance and lasting results.
For assistance with STEAM systems installation best practices
call Rick Bockwinkel 913-579-7688
or email: Bock@ERBSteam.com
Labels:
Best Practices,
commissioning,
consulting,
engineering,
Safety,
start-up,
STEAM,
supervision
Friday, February 14, 2014
When you say Steam...what do people think?
People invariably think of steam as something for cleaning or ironing...or running a locomotive. But steam is much more pervasive than that! Steam is the single most widely used DERIVED energy source on the planet.
And...we know how to get the most out of it for you. Give us a call...we will take a look and let you know where your opportunities exist with STEAM!
Rick Bockwinkel -- 913-579-7688
Bock@erbsteam.com
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Heat Exchangers Hammering? Tube Bundles Fouling and Failing?
Do you have heat exchangers (i.e. Reboilers) HAMMERING and/or losing tubes like this heat exchanger?
This device is not evacuating condensate, thus the significant temperature differential. This backing up of condensate in the heating space reduces surface area AND poses a potential for thermal and hydraulic shock that will damage tubes, create leaks and destroy steam traps. It also reduces throughput and can impact product quality.
Labels:
Energy,
Heat Exchangers,
Productivity,
Reboilers,
Reliability,
Safety,
Saving Energy,
STEAM,
Steam Best Practices,
Steam Trap Surveying,
Steam Trap Surveys
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Why Fix Steam Leaks?
Steam Leak Surveys provide compelling paths to energy savings with paybacks in MONTHS!!!
Therefore, fixing steam leaks will not add load to your condensate recovery system...and it will save you money and energy while reducing the workload on your steam generation plant.
To Schedule a Steam Leak Survey, Please call Rick Bockwinkel at 913.579.7688 or eMail: Bock@erbsteam.com. Thank you.
Labels:
Safety,
Saving Energy,
Tips and Tricks
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
It's Minus 20 Degrees Outside..Is your Steam Up to it?
Bring on the COLD weather...
We survey your steam system without fail, so you don't have freeze-ups or failures.
For a FREE Estimate please call:
Richard Bockwinkel at 913-579-7688
or eMail: Bock@ERBSteam.com
Labels:
Saving Energy,
STEAM,
Steam Trap Surveying
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Direct Steam Injection...for Tempered Water and other fluids...
913.579.7688 or click this email: Bock@erbsteam.com
Labels:
DSI,
Saving Energy,
Tempered Water
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Primer on BOILER PRIMING / Carryover Problems
If you are experiencing "boiler priming", sometimes called "carry over", resulting in boiler plant shut-downs and/or water hammer, there is good news.
There are a number of solutions that can readily mitigate this.
Contact ERB and Associates, Inc.
Richard Bockwinkel by phone: 913.579.7688 or eMail: Bock@erbsteam.com.
The PRIMER...In a boiler steam bubbles are continually bursting at the steam water interface and ejecting boiler water drops into the steam space.
The steam also drags the surface of the boiler water towards the steam outlet so that the water level at that point can be higher than elsewhere, depending on the positions of the level controls this may cause the feed pumps to deliver water and thus raising the water level further.
As the water level is raised the volume of the steam space is decreased, the speed of the steam across the surface is increased drawing foam and water droplets towards the steam outlet. A sudden increase in steam demand can cause a slug of boiler water to enter the steam outlet. This is known as priming. Operation of the boiler below its design pressure will also produce a similar effect.
There are a number of solutions that can readily mitigate this.
Contact ERB and Associates, Inc.
Richard Bockwinkel by phone: 913.579.7688 or eMail: Bock@erbsteam.com.

As the rate of steaming increases a point is reached where the steam bubbles are arriving at the surface faster than they are being removed, they accumulate as foam.
Steam released from the bursting bubbles move towards the steam outlet carrying with it smaller water droplets and taking with it any foam.
The steam also drags the surface of the boiler water towards the steam outlet so that the water level at that point can be higher than elsewhere, depending on the positions of the level controls this may cause the feed pumps to deliver water and thus raising the water level further.

Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The FIRST ALL STEAM TURBINE STATION in AMERICA 1903
And in the foyer, in the VISITOR log that is on DISPLAY...see below...the name...
Thomas Edison, Inventor.
Unfortunately there was no room on that page for me to sign in ;-)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Pre-Insulated Tubing EQUALS Instant Steam/Condensate "PIPING"
Less Costly...More Satisfying.
For small bore (3/8", 1/2", 3/4") steam service, running pipe with all of it's fitting requirements has become "the old way" of doing things. The new way of running small bore steam pipe is to run steam tubing that is preinsulated.
The beauty of preinsulated steam tubing is its ease of installation; not to mention that you can color code your steam pressures by choosing a wide variety of colors.
The practicality is impressive. There are less fittings required; thus less leak points...less time to install...and less contamination potential from thread sealant materials migrating into the steam space.
For more info contact... Rick Bockwinkel
call... 913-579.7688
or email: Bock@ERBSteam.com
Labels:
Safety,
Saving Labor,
Tips and Tricks
Sunday, February 28, 2010
90.9% of all Electrical Power is DERIVED from STEAM
Steam is not only a POWERful energy, it is a tremendous GREEN utility that provides outstanding heat transfer as it changes phase from GAS to LIQUID...a fluid you could pour in any river and thereby improve the water quality of that stream...
Richard Bockwinkel has been optimizing steam systems since 1975.
Want help with your STEAM plant?
Call Rick at 913-579-7688 or email: Bock@erbsteam.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
Is this steam trap failed?

This is NOT a failed steam trap. It is overloaded.
KNOWing the difference is our expertise that saves you money by allowing you to retrofit this undersized steam trap with a properly sized steam trap, WHILE allowing you to retain the smaller capacity steam trap for other appropriate service. As such, you save materials AND provide for proper performance of your steam trap.
Managing your steam trap population saves you energy dollars AND equipment dollars too!
This is what we deliver. For more information call:
This is what we deliver. For more information call:
Rick Bockwinkel
Phone: 913.579.7688
eMail: Bock@erbsteam.com
Labels:
Steam Trap Surveying,
Training
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Steam Trap Survey Request for Quote Form.
Labels:
Armstrong,
audits,
Best Practices,
energy audits,
Saving Energy,
Services,
STEAM,
Steam Best Practices,
Steam Trap Surveying,
Steam Trap Surveys,
Surveys
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)