#frame heat exchangers repair

[valutech-blog]

Looking for heat exchanger repair companies serving the Toronto area? Contact Valutech for expert reconditioning and repairing of heat exchangers.

[onyourowndaisymae]

don't mind me... just thinking about the dateables slowly dropping the rest of their roster for you as they fall head over heels...

diavolo (you are here) // barbatos // simeon // solomon -- gn!mc, NSFW under the cut -- warning for mentions of intimacy without reciprocated feelings & the angst associated w it + minor s2 spoilers

diavolo, who is fascinated by humans. when he proposes the exchange program, he's being honest when he claims its to strengthen the bonds between all three realms. but he also has the selfish urge to have humans up close-- he just finds them so interesting. virtually powerless next to angels and demons, yet strong-willed and stubborn despite it all. solomon had been an object of his fascination for awhile, but that was a powerful sorcerer who was practically immortal. but you... like a child with a new puppy, diavolo had to resist the urge not to follow you everywhere you went, burning the observations into his brain for the future. barbatos was his saving grace, redirecting him when his question became too enthusiastic or overbearing, keeping him on task with the grace he'd been known for over the last few centuries. oops. well, at least he would have a whole year to get to know you better.

diavolo, who has high hopes for you. he sees the way you've intertwined yourself so thoroughly into the hearts of the demon brothers, how you've repaired their broken dynamic and made friends of all of them-- even lucifer! as the exchange program drew to a close, he was admittedly quite sad to see you go. he hadn't spent as much time with you as he wanted. he watches your goodbyes with the brothers with a somewhat envious eye. how unfair of his duties to keep him so occupied that he doesn't know you until you're leaving! how wicked, how cruel. he's throwing a pity party for himself behind a stoic expression. but regardless of his reservations, he sends you back to the human world with a smile and a promise that they'll all be waiting for you. and when you finally return to the devildom with solomon, popping in on a random student council meeting with an aloof grin, he can't help but thank fate for the gust of wind that dropped your information at lucifer's feet while they were searching for exchange students.

diavolo, who is royalty-- and looks the part. muscular frame, large stature, gorgeous face and body sculpted to perfection, with the wingspan and horns adorned with gold... it was clear he was a step above the rest. but being royalty had its drawbacks. the expectations that sat on his shoulders were heavy, but they were a burden he had to bear. a suitor of his was watching him from across the party with a knowing smile, eyes sharp, before finally summoning him with a single "come here" motion of their finger. and that was it. the death of his fun evening with friends for the sake of the kingdom. he spared you, the demon brothers, the angels, and the sorcerer one final look before joining the demon's side with a fake smile. he felt horrible. the demon did truly desire him, but diavolo couldn't muster up the same passion for them. not while they stowed away to his bedchambers. not while they were on their knees between his legs, lips and tongue kissing across his hardened length, deep groans rumbling in his chest. not while he returned the favor, enthusiastically lapping at their juices as he prepped them for his cock. and not while fucking them, either, their keens muffled into silk sheets as they clenched around his cock with another orgasm, his murmured praises almost lost in the heat of it all. as his arms wrap around the slumbering demon, tuckered out from a night of intimacy, he wonders if this is the life he's been resigned to. were demon politics so fickle that he'd truly have to marry not for love, but for the good of the devildom? he longed for the freedom of someone he knew... of you. his heart ached as his thoughts wandered to you. at every turn, you'd chosen the decision you wanted, even as the world closed in around you. you followed your heart through every crossroads and ended up on top at every turn. diavolo longed for the freedom you enjoyed-- and maybe that's why he was so fond of you.

diavolo, who eagerly awaits your next visit to the castle. lately he's found himself growing impatient for your visits, easily distracted by the knowledge that you'll soon be at the castle with him. it annoys barbatos to no end. this, he feels bad for... but really, can you blame him? he's giddy with excitement by the time you finally arrive, and it causes him to act familiar with you in a way he maybe shouldn't. he sits not opposite of you but next to you for tea, offering to pour your tea and add sugar cubes to your liking as he listens to you talk about the shenanigans that happened this week at the house of lamentation. your smile is contagious-- he finds himself mirroring it with warm cheeks. he doesn't know who starts it, whether it be his hand brushing against yours or your pinkie reaching for his, but soon your fingers were intertwined as colorful stories fell from your lips. you exchange words like that for awhile, neither one of you daring to ruin the moment by mentioning your hands. and your reward is even better-- eventually his large hand finds your cheek, stroking it with kind eyes for a moment before pressing a kiss to your lips. it's soft and hesitant, an unspoken desire, and he starts to pull away. but you don't let him. you lean in, lips moving against his, gripping his hand a little tighter to let him know you're on the same page. when the kiss is over and you two part, his head is surprisingly blank. all that pining really must have turned his brain to mush after all...

diavolo, who is so proud to call himself your partner. who would follow you to the end of time if you'd keep looking at him like that. greed and lust swirl in your gaze as you pant desperately, tugging a little on his hair when his movements still to watch you. his tongue laps desperately at your hole, chuckling to himself as you clench around nothing. his hands toy with the most sensitive part of yours sex, movements purposeful yet almost lazy in their pace. he's teasing you. his wings flutter a little when you tug at his hair again, and he pulls back enough to let you watch him stick two of his fingers into his mouth. from the movement of his cheeks, he's sure you notice the way his tongue swirls around them, drenching them in saliva before pulling the slick digits out. he eases one into your hole with a little bit of coaxing, the other running carefully along your sex in anticipation. they scissor in sync when they're both in you, purposefully stretching you open, lovingly prepping you for his cock. but it's never enough, is it? the same familiar stretch, that slight burn, makes your clench the sheets in your fists. his words are quiet and calm, sweet nothings against your shoulder and neck as he leaves a few kisses in his wake. he feels guilty each time you're intimate together for the pain he causes you-- he knows demons are bigger than humans, and that you're with him willingly, but the guilt lingers regardless. that is, until you give him permission to move. the first thrust makes you gasp, but after a few shallow movements your pretty eyes roll back into your head. this, he reminds himself, is why he loves fucking you. he hasn't moved beyond a shallow, careful pace, but you're already pulling at his shoulders and writhing underneath him. his golden eyes sparkle with fondness as he begins to move a little faster, hit a little deeper, watching you quickly become cockdrunk and forget the pain of the first few thrusts. he loves you so dearly that it makes his fingers tremble as he intertwines them with yours, pinning you down to his bed as he grinds into you. he is hopeless. a lost cause. walking around blindly, lovedrunk, powerful yet helpless to your whims-- lord diavolo would stop at nothing to bring the three realms to harmon, if only to justify keeping you by his side.

taglist for this series: @the-demonus-aunt // @scienceisfornerds // @hostilemakeover // @snow-fall1 // @kachan890 // @rphantom1 // @respitable // @deepseafragments // @niinian

[thegatesofsilverandbone]

Jack had always been the type to try to do things himself. Whether it was a simple home repair or attempting to assemble furniture without the instructions, he believed in the power of self-reliance. So, when his air conditioner sputtered and died on one of the hottest days of the summer, he decided to take matters into his own hands rather than call a repairman.

He stood in front of the unit, tools scattered at his feet, sweat dripping from his brow. The sun beat down mercilessly, but Jack wasn’t about to let a little heat stop him. He popped open the cover and peered inside, the tangle of wires and unfamiliar components staring back at him like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

At first, Jack felt out of his depth. He had no real experience with air conditioners beyond changing the filter occasionally, but he figured it couldn’t be that hard. He fumbled around, poking at different parts and trying to piece together how the machine worked. As he did, something strange began to happen.

His frustration began to ebb, replaced by a curious confidence. The wiring diagram that had looked so confusing just moments before now seemed clear, and he found himself understanding the purpose of each component. Jack’s hands moved with a newfound precision as he tested connections, replaced a burnt-out capacitor, and cleaned the coils. He was so engrossed in the work that he hardly noticed the subtle changes starting to occur.

His arms, once lean, began to swell with muscle. The simple t-shirt he wore stretched tighter across his chest, and his hands, now rougher and more calloused, handled the tools with the ease of someone who had done this a hundred times before. Jack paused, rubbing his newly bearded chin in thought, then grinned. He’d always dreamed of being able to fix things with such skill, but now it felt like second nature.

As he continued, the transformation accelerated. His reflection in the shiny metal of the air conditioner’s casing revealed a broader, thicker frame, the kind of body that belonged to someone who worked with their hands every day. His hair, once neatly trimmed, grew into a wild, salt-and-pepper mane, and his face took on a more rugged, weathered look. But none of this struck Jack as strange—in fact, it felt right, as if he’d always looked this way.

When he finally finished the repairs, the air conditioner hummed back to life, blasting cool air into the house. Jack stood up, wiping his brow with the back of his hand, and let out a satisfied sigh. But something was different now. He felt like he belonged in this body, like the years of experience that came with it were truly his own.

Jack—or rather, John, as he now thought of himself—looked around his home, feeling a sense of pride and ownership he hadn’t known before. The tools scattered at his feet weren’t just tools; they were extensions of his hands, part of his craft. He no longer felt the need to prove himself because he knew who he was: the town’s best handyman, a man who could fix anything with a smile and a flirtatious wink.

The memories of his former life as Jack, the young man uncertain of his place in the world, began to fade. In their place came memories of a life well-lived, of friendships formed over beers at the local bar, of helping out neighbors in need, and of countless flirty exchanges with handsome men who caught his eye. He remembered the thrill of the chase and the comfort of settling into a life where he was known and respected not just for his skills, but for his big heart and even bigger personality.

As the sun set, John found himself in the mirror, a big, burly man in his late forties, with a solid build, a full beard, and a twinkle in his eye. He couldn’t recall ever being anyone else, nor did he want to. The idea of settling down with the right man, perhaps one who appreciated a good home-cooked meal and knew how to laugh, filled him with warmth. Maybe it was time to take a break from all the flirting and find someone to share this life with.

John chuckled to himself as he grabbed a cold beer from the fridge and sat on the porch, the evening breeze cooling his broad chest. As he sipped his drink, he noticed the friendly wave of a neighbor passing by, and he returned it with a grin. Life was good, and he knew he’d earned every bit of it.

He was exactly who he was meant to be: John, the town handyman, master craftsman, and local charmer. And as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, he found himself content, knowing that tomorrow would bring more work to do, more friends to help, and maybe, just maybe, a chance encounter with the right man to finally settle down with.

[talesofedo]

Image and text from this page.

Throughout the Edo Period, Japan was largely closed off from the rest of the world, relying solely on its limited domestic resources. As a result of this, reuse and recycling were a natural part of life with almost all daily items experiencing multiple life cycles. At the forefront of this 250-year period of sustainability were professions that centered around repairing and repurposing everyday goods and materials, giving new life to items that would today end up in landfills. In his book, “Just Enough,” Azby Brown introduces a number of the professions that led to this period of sustainability and we’ve listed some of our favorites below.

Tinkers

Tinkers were local craftsmen who repaired damaged pots and kettles. Often found carrying portable forges and bellows on their backs, they used scrap metal to repair holes and cracks that would otherwise render these essential household items useless.

Scrap metal dealers would purchase unrepairable items from tinkers and exchange candies and toys with local kids for nails and other usable metal scraps they found while playing.

Paper lantern and umbrella repairmen

While most umbrellas in modern-day Tokyo are quickly lost or broken and disposed of, the raw materials that made Edo Period umbrellas often saw multiple lives with umbrella repairmen carving out a fairly lucrative niche for themselves.

These repairmen would buy used umbrellas, assign a price based on the condition of the bamboo frame then disassemble, repair and resell them to new buyers.

Discarded materials, such as the waterproof oiled paper would pass onto local butchers for wrapping fish and miso.

With umbrellas and paper lanterns sharing essentially the same materials, umbrella repairmen would also cross over into the realm of lantern repair and often sub-contract this work out to low-level samurai.

Used clothes dealers

If you thought Shimokitazawa was overrun with used clothing dealers these days, Brown says there were as many as 4,000 of them in Edo.

With new clothes being unaffordable for the average family, when it came time to update the wardrobe, old garments would be washed and taken to a dealer to be exchanged for refurbished items at a small fee.

These dealers would take apart kimono, dye them and reassemble them for resale, a task made easier due to the way kimono are designed.

As clothes would begin to wear out, they found new life as aprons, diapers, pouches, cloths and eventually kindling before becoming ash which would also be repurposed.

Barrel repairers and recyclers

If you knew your way around a bamboo barrel hoop in the Edo Period you could make a steady living for yourself repairing the various types of shoyu, sake, miso or vinegar barrels found in the average home.

The more experienced itinerant barrel hoop makers could also find work as barrel recyclers, a specialized craft that saved reusable barrels and casks from early disposal.

After collection, recyclers would inspect, grade, refurbish and resell them onto brewers and liquor shops who would choose from new, new-looking, slightly used or worn barrels depending on their intended use.

Ashmen

Most daily items in the Edo Period were made from burnable plant-based materials such as wood, bamboo, straw and cotton.

Rather than have worn-out rope, sandals, hats, raincoats or baskets end up in landfill, these items could be burnt to provide heat and turned to ash, which is where the ashman comes in.

Rather than discarding of ash, households and businesses such as public baths would collect their ash and sell it to local ashmen.

With ash from straw and cotton cloth containing large amounts of potassium, it was in high demand as an additive for fertilizer or for use in ceramics, dyes or sake production which created a lucrative business for motivated ashmen.

[spookyspaghettisundae]

Ride Eternal

1996.

One year later. One year after THE HIGHWAY had died.

A veil of heat shimmered above the desolate dirt road. A black Lincoln town car with tinted windows kicked up and trailed a cloud of dust behind it, while the vehicle neared the old ranch at a steady pace. The vehicle’s chromed edges shone with bright reflections in stark sunlight from clear, blue skies.

From afar, little had changed about Klemens Weidmann’s ranch since last visit.

Husks of old cars still lined the dirt path. A skeleton of a barn out back continued its slow transmutation into more desert sand. A dead field flanked the ranch house, and a bleached shovel still stood staked in the ground there, as if to mark a specific spot. And the old chapel ruin still stood, albeit now pockmarked with new holes where sandstone bricks had crumbled from walls and ceiling.

The front porch had been repaired. Someone had replaced most of the wood in reconstruction, and its bright white coat of new paint stood out against the rest of the decrepit old homestead around it. The front windows had all been replaced, now gleaming in sunlight like the town car approaching. From afar, it was hard to tell that hundreds of bullets had torn the ranch house’s front apart.

On rocking chairs, two figures sat in the shade of the porch’s awning.

The black car continued its steady journey towards the ranch house. The FBI agents riding inside the vehicle stared at the figures on the porch.

At the shotgun resting across one lap.

That figure with the shotgun shifted and rose from the rocking chair. The shotgun pointed at the floorboards, lowered by his side.

The car rounded the circuit of scrapped car husks lining the dirt road, until the brand new car pulled up in front of the ranch house. Wheels crunched on dirt and gravel until the breaks squealed and the engine cut out.

The agents exchanged words behind tinted glass. Then the passenger door opened.

A pale and freckled face, framed by a short crop of bright red hair and a serious suit, poked out from the car’s open door. One shiny black shoe cracked down on the ground, then the other, as she got out, and emitted a weary groan.

Special Agent Parker stood behind the open passenger seat door and leaned against its metal frame. The petite woman in the suit removed her sunglasses and squinted, then raised a hand to greet the men on the porch.

The man with the shotgun offered no such motion in return to welcome the federal agent’s arrival, and the other one continued rocking in his chair. He had been rocking in that chair all this time.

Parker ducked her head back into the car and asked the driver something. He only shook his head and waited inside the cooled coffin of the vehicle’s interior.

Closing the door, she made her way towards the porch. Tensed up as the man with the shotgun raised it, and immediately relaxed with relief when he hoisted the heavy weapon onto his shoulder, rather than pointing it at her or anybody else.

Unblinking, the man with the shotgun, Jericho Kane, stared at her through icy blue eyes. He no longer wore black, instead dressed in a faded blue flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of jeans above dusty cowboy boots. His hair looked as disheveled as always, as if he had just gotten up at—

Parker checked her wristwatch.

Three in the afternoon.

Jericho tilted his head and rolled his jaw, and his gaze darted back and forth between the mystery man in the Lincoln, and Agent Parker. Only when she stopped in front of the porch steps did he lock eyes with her.

He pawed behind himself to pick a sweating can of cheap beer up off a windowsill—and knocked it over. This erased any sense of cool or tension from Jericho’s demeanor, and he started swearing, and scrambling, hastily ducking to pick the fallen before too much of its remaining swill ended up soaking the porch.

Parker hooked her thumbs into her pant pockets and patiently waited for him to stop cursing. Jericho snuck in a sip and returned the empty wet to the windowsill.

The other man continued to rock in his creaky old chair. Klemens Weidmann. Dressed similarly to Jericho, the old man stared blankly into the horizon, past Parker, past the car, past everything. As if he was drifting.

Lost in a daydream.

The summer day’s heat quickly enveloped Parker, causing her thumbs to sweat, and forcing them right back out of her pockets.

“You gained weight,” she said.

“Oh, fuck off,” Jericho groaned. He pointed to the car. “New partner?”

“No, that’s Special Agent Derek Wells. He said he didn’t want to bother you anymore unless he needed to.”

Jericho stared over the lot to the black car and the heat rising from it. He sniffed.

“Good man,” he muttered. A tinge of disappointment added a tremor to those words. “Then, what the fuck do you want?”

Parker mustered a feeble smile.

They shared a complex history. But with what she had learned of Jericho, this was his default fashion of communication, and her job as a federal agent would forever strain their relationship, even if they managed to find more common grounds.

Not everybody was friends in the invisible world. More often than not, they were enemies.

At the very least, she reckoned, she and Jericho were no enemies.

“We’re on the way to Las Vegas for work. A case that involves something unnatural. I wanted to ask if you could act as a, uh, consultant if needed.”

Jericho sniffed again. Pursed his lips. “The answer is two words. Fuck and no.”

“Those were three words,” Parker fired back from the hip.

“God fucking damn it, fuck off.”

Parker shrugged. It was only half of the reason for their visit.

“How is he?” she asked, shifting her gaze and question to address Klemens. The Way King. The main subject of her visit, and her first point of curiosity.

She needed to eliminate him as a possible suspect in their case.

Jericho’s shotgun thumped onto his empty rocking chair and he swiveled, struggling to find the right words.

“I don’t know, man. He’s an old dude. He hasn’t… said a word since all that shit.”

Parker scratched her forehead along the hairline, where sweat beaded quickly.

“Can’t Aria or Sunny or any of the Witches of the West Coast do anything about that? Heal him somehow?”

Jericho huffed and grunted before intelligible words found articulation. Something resembling a smile flashed across his lips—tucked away immediately when he realized Parker’s inquisitive stare stayed upon him, like he had been caught in a happy memory, with his hand in the cookie jar. He replaced that expression with a scowl.

“First off, the Witches are busy looking for the new Oracle of New York, some chick named Kim Phoenix or some such shit. Second, I don’t think anybody can do shit about it.”

“Well, why not?”

“That just,” he sighed. “That just ain’t how it works. You give what you get. He obliterated his fucking mind to do what he did.”

Jericho stared at Klemens while the silence draped itself over the gathering. Sadness replaced the anger in his visage.

Desert wind whistled warmly past the porch.

He finally pointed an index finger at his head, then clapped his thumb down like pulling the trigger on an imaginary gun.

“Bang,” Jericho said. “That’s how the world works. Everything has a price, and he paid it with all his memories. It’s really fucking depressing.”

“You’ve been taking care of him all this time? All alone?”

“Yeah, kinda. Most of the time, kinda. The homunculus-you is here all the time. And the psycho, you know who, she sometimes visits and I go hit the Strip or whatever.”

Parker’s chin crinkled. She bristled at the mention of Karma. Just thinking of that sadistic, teleporting assassin was enough to make her stomach twist. Someone she hoped to never meet again.

He continued, “Sometimes, other people show up, you know, Way King had a lot people who followed him. They come looking for answers, or secrets, or advice, or, I don’t fucking know. Really fuckin’ anything. But he’s just… he’s just like this all the time. Visits been getting rarer.”

Klemens had a faint echo of a smile plastered across his face, frozen in place.

Still rocking on the chair, gazing out into the distance.

He looked content.

Jericho added, “I mean, he doesn’t even really need much of anybody to take care of him, it’s fucking weird. The crazy old bastard just kinda walks around, and cooks, and shits, and wipes his ass, and brushes his teeth, all on his own. Like a fucking robot. Has his routine, though he doesn’t leave this ranch anymore. Every day is the fucking same for him. Just gotta keep him supplied.”

“Why are you still here, then?”

Jericho clicked his tongue and shrugged. “None o’ your God damn business.”

Parker stifled a sigh and rubbed the back of her neck, slick with sweat. “Sorry, I just—”

“You know, he also forgot all the bullshit. All the bad things. That man saw a lot of shit in his lifetime. It’s no fucking wonder everything was like it fucking was while he held the reigns.”

“What do you—”

“It’s fucked up, man. Damn it all to hell. I don’t fucking know. Are you done with your questions? Can you go now?”

Parker licked her lips. Mentally checked off everything on her list, and proceeded to advance towards the politest farewell she could offer.

“No plans for the future?” she asked.

“Man, I don’t know fucking know,” Jericho sighed, jutting his jaw out. His icy gaze drilled into hers, burning with frustration. He blurted out a single name—the true object of his anger. “Michael. I sometimes wake up at night like I had a nightmare of that sick sack of shit, and I get this wad in my gut, like I want to find out if he’s back out there again. Stirring shit again. And if he is, I fucking fantasize about the ways I’m gonna end up icing him.”

The fly trap door to the ranch house creaked and a man stepped outside.

“God fucking damn it, who the—” Jericho scrambled to pick up his shotgun. Parker hesitated to act, though the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Simon Wolff had stepped outside.

The mysterious “therapist” in the House of Change.

His face looked perfectly identical, albeit with years of age shaved off his countenance. The rest of his appearance had changed completely: leather wristbands, a dark vest over a red T-shirt, and jeans had replaced the dark blue three-piece suit. A wild mane of curly hair had replaced the short and slicked back ‘do Wolff previously sported, as if he had reverted into his younger hippie years.

Still, Wolff’s expression mirrored the therapist’s mien from the otherworldly House: stony as a chiseled mask, and with an intense stare that scanned his company.

He spared the shotgun pointed at him little more than a glance, and zero fear of the physical threat it posed to his life. Jericho now knew it took more to kill him.

Thus, he lowered the weapon again, in resignation.

“Mister Kane, Agent Parker,” Wolff said.

“Special Agent Parker,” she corrected him with emphasis.

Wolff scoffed, almost suffering the humiliation of displaying a grin.

“You were speaking of Michael, yes? He is free from the House.”

“How the fuck are you even alive?” Jericho asked.

Wolff ignored it. Staring at Parker, he said, “Michael forgot who he was, but will never be the same again. Michael is, effectively, a new man.”

“Hello? Am I chopped fucking liver over here?”

Still staring at Parker, Wolff said, “No, I hear you loud and clear, Mister Kane. You make it very difficult to ignore you, which is why I enjoy your company so much. Perhaps you should visit my new bar sometime soon.”

“Yeah? Go fuck yourself. Answer my damn question.”

“There’s a different question you should be asking,” Wolff said.

His gaze stayed glued to Parker. It started to make her feel more uncomfortable than the unbearable desert heat. Her sweat soaked the fabric of her suit.

“The fuck would that be?” Jericho asked.

“Something else you should be far more concerned about.”

“I’m plenty concerned about Michael, dickweed. I also came out of the House—fuckin’ twice. Have I changed that much? Fuck no, and I bet Michael will be back on his usual bullshit once he has some sort of spiritual awakening or shit. Isn’t it your fucking job to do anything about that?”

Parker squinted at Simon Wolff. Her stomach knotted, like she knew what he was getting at.

And the Whispers in her mind… stayed silent.

For now.

“No,” Wolff said. “And I’d be more worried about our mutual friend. That… Shadow.”

Parker’s jaw clenched.

“It’s still with you, isn’t it?”

Parker said nothing, and now Jericho’s gaze burned upon her like Wolff’s.

The absence of an answer was answer enough. They knew. Knew it.

A whole year since it had shown itself in the dark, or spoken to any human minds but hers. Those Whispers, that entity, lurking still.

Nobody knew any way to exorcise the entity. Nobody even dared to guess what it was.

She asked, “Should I enter the House myself? Perhaps it would change with me if I underwent the House’s trial.”

Wolff smiled, in lips only. It did not reach his eyes.

“That already happened. It was there, like you. With you. You left its filthy little trail in my office, and the halls all around,” he said. “Oh, it changed, alright. It changed already, just like you did, even if you don’t realize it. For better or worse, you changed. Both of you.”

Both Jericho’s and Parker’s minds raced. The Whispers remained silent.

The wind whistled. Howled.

“It is not of this world, Special Agent Parker.”

Nobody replied.

“Now, if you excuse me, I have other fires to put out,” Wolff said. Curt words, sharp on every syllable, and delivering a smirk to round it all off. “I am certain we will cross paths again. Goodbye.”

They didn’t stop him.

Wolff simply stepped back inside the fly trap door into the ranch house, yet vanished in the darkness beyond. Swallowed up by the infinite corridors of the otherworld he used to travel.

“Is he… right? About that?” Jericho asked. Softly. No more of his usual fire and sass and profanity. He repeated the question, even softer the second time. “Is he right?”

“I don’t know,” she said. Staring at the mesh of the new fly screen door behind which Wolff had vanished. “I don’t understand half of what it all means, but yes, it is still with me. What he calls the Shadow. I call it the Whispers because it whispers to me. It’s not evil, you know?”

“You sure about that? Seemed pretty capital E evil to me when it was riding Michael like a fucking mark.”

The stomach in her knot remained, even after Wolff had left. Why had he shown up like that? To say all that? What were his intentions behind it?

She still needed to learn more about Simon Wolff and the House and their whole role in this invisible world she had become embroiled in.

Parker retrieved her sunglasses from her jacket pocket, unfolded them, and slid the shades up the ridge of her nose.

“Sorry for bothering you,” she told Jericho.

He clicked his tongue again and shook his head. “None of you assholes answer my God damn questions. God damn, fucking clowns. If I wanted to hang out with clowns, I would have joined a God damn circus.”

“I’m sorry, I really am. I don’t know how to answer your question to your satisfaction. I am convinced it is not evil, while you are convinced of the contrary. We will be stuck at this impasse before evidence proves either of us wrong. Now, I mean this when I say it—I’m sorry for bothering you, Jericho. I’ll—we’ll be on our way.”

Her glared at her, though shades now rendered her diamond eyes inscrutable.

Don’t worry, whispered the Whispers. You know better. You know us better.

The knot in her stomach loosened. The Whispers had becoming a soothing agent for the agent.

Her lips curled into a thin smile. It was as genuine as Agent Parker could produce in that moment.

“Take care, Jericho,” she said. And then turning her head to Klemens, she added, “You too, Mister Weidmann.”

Jericho shook his head and his glare vanished. His features softened and he scoffed. A crooked grin marked his mien.

She had already turned to leave. Gravel crunched under every step, and Jericho raised his voice to say one last thing once she had made it halfway back to the Lincoln.

“Catch you on the flip side, G-woman. Don’t do anything I would.”

She would not turn for that. Climbed back into the air-conditioned interior of the car.

The Lincoln soon blazed back down dirt road, leaving the Way King’s ranch behind them. Jericho returned to his seat on the other rocking chair and everything shrank in the rearview mirror. Ruins, dead field, ranch house. The circuit and husks of scrapped cars lining the path. All shrinking until the bright blue sky and the hungry desert devoured them all.

“The hell was that all about?” Special Agent Derek Wells asked.

Parker took her time to explain everything in full detail.

They were still a good while away from the city. The dirt road soon fed into the highway, where other traffic trailed down black asphalt, following yellow lines in different directions, past metal signs, and stone, and cacti.

The Lincoln became another blood cell, circulating inside the organism of their world as they travelled. Even though THE HIGHWAY was dead, and its world had ended with the Way King’s reign, the world they lived in continued to persist.

Wells listened. Had little to comment on anything she said.

Parker talked until her mouth ran dry. Then she sipped coffee from her thermos.

Finally, Wells spoke up. “You ever get around to meeting up with that Steven guy in Kentucky?”

Parker cracked a smile. Like Wells, she stared ahead into the infinity of the horizon, where Sin City awaited them at the end of the paved road.

“Not yet. Maybe after this case.”

“Meh. Don’t keep putting it off. Take it from me, partner. You keep working, working, working, you never get your priorities in order. Yeah, we got a job to do. But we’re no good at it if our lives outside of it fall apart.”

Parker dug around in her pocket and retrieved a pack of cigarettes. She tapped out one, lit it up with the car’s lighter, then handed it to Wells before lighting up one for herself.

“Aren’t you seeing Aleena again?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Wells said. He smiled with confidence, bobbing his head.

They rolled the windows down and the wind howled through the Lincoln as it hurtled down the Interstate towards Vegas.

Once both of them stamped out their cigarettes in the overflowing ashtray, and rolled the windows back up, she took another sip of coffee.

“So, you still hear them, right?” he asked out of the blue. “The Whispers?”

Another sip.

“Yes.”

“They here to say?”

I am here to stay, my friend.

“They are here to stay, my friend.”

Wells shook his head. But smiled.

Parker spoke as softly as the Whispers now echoed in her thoughts. “The book was destroyed, so they… can’t go back home to… wherever they came from.”

This is home now. With you.

And there are other ways it can be reshaped, and prepared for our evolution. We will find a way.

“I’m still pissed Collins got off the hook so easily in all of that crap,” Wells muttered, clicking his tongue again.

The truth is always difficult to accept.

“His resignation works for me, and I struggle to see what good it would do anybody if people knew the truth of everything that happened,” Parker replied to her partner.

“Yeah, but, tsk—”

“Truth is a burden. Come on, think back. How hard was it to grasp the mysteries of an invisible world? Most people panic, shut down, and come up with rational explanations for everything, even when they’re wrong in the face of a disintegrating reality. Most people think Bigfoot is a hoax,” she said matter-of-factly.

Wells’ face twisted and he glanced at her.

“Hold the hell on there. You telling me you know for a fact Bigfoot is real? How long were going to hold onto that one?”

Parker smiled.

Why would you suggest such a thing?

“It’s a joke,” she answered both. “Maybe he pays taxes, maybe he’s just a guy in a costume. Beats me.”

If we find another way, and give birth to a new world, I will be one step closer to home than ever before.

“If we find another way to remake reality, I have notes on things I want to be different,” Parker said.

Yes. You listen.

“Huh?” Wells asked. He shot another glance at her but kept his gaze trained on the road ahead of them.

“What kind of world would you like to see if you could remake it? You know, God-like. From the ground up.”

Wells puckered his lips, rolled his jaw, and drummed his fingertips on the steering wheel.

“Oh, man, you can’t keep asking me things like that. I don’t know. World peace, an end to world hunger, closing the hole in the ozone layer. That kind of stuff?”

Closer to THE SUBSTANCE. We are the future, you and I. I look forward to what we might discover once we ride down that road.

Together.

Parker smiled. Both in response to Wells’ answer and the enigmatic words of her Shadow.

She stared ahead. The skyline of Las Vegas painted itself across the horizon, and the sun was setting behind it, delving everything in vibrant hues of orange and pink and deep crimson.

“What about you?” Wells asked.

Parker shook her head. Toying with her glasses as she drank up the color of the setting sun.

“I’ll get back to you about that.”

Until then, we ride, partner.

Ride eternal.

[heatpumpsolutionuk]

Installation Process of Air Source Heat Pump Cylinders: Step-by-Step Guide and Considerations

Installing an Air Source Heat Pump Cylinder is a crucial step in integrating an energy-efficient heating system into your home or business. Proper installation ensures optimal performance, energy efficiency, and longevity of the system. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of the installation process, along with important considerations to keep in mind.

Pre-Installation Considerations

Before beginning the installation process, it is essential to assess the suitability of your property for an air source heat pump system. This involves evaluating the space available, the existing heating infrastructure, and the specific requirements of your household or business.

Site Assessment

Location Selection: Identify a suitable outdoor location for the air source heat pump unit. It should be placed on a solid, level surface with adequate ventilation. The area should be free from obstructions that could block airflow, such as plants, fences, or walls.

Space Requirements: Ensure there is enough space for the heat pump cylinder indoors. The cylinder should be installed in a well-ventilated area, such as a utility room or basement. It is important to leave sufficient space around the cylinder for maintenance and repairs.

Electrical and Plumbing Connections: Verify that the site has the necessary electrical connections and plumbing infrastructure to support the installation. This may involve upgrading your electrical system or making modifications to your existing plumbing.

Permits and Regulations

Local Building Codes: Check local building codes and regulations to ensure compliance with installation requirements. Some regions may require permits for installing air source heat pumps and cylinders, particularly if structural modifications are necessary.

Noise Regulations: Air source heat pumps can generate noise during operation. Ensure that the outdoor unit is positioned in a location that complies with local noise regulations and is unlikely to disturb neighbors.

System Sizing

Heat Load Calculation: Perform a heat load calculation to determine the appropriate size of the air source heat pump and cylinder for your property. This calculation considers factors such as the size of the building, insulation levels, and climate.

Cylinder Capacity: Choose a cylinder with a capacity that meets your household’s hot water demands. Oversizing or undersizing the cylinder can lead to inefficiencies and performance issues.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Site

Clear the Installation Area: Remove any debris, vegetation, or obstacles from the outdoor site where the heat pump unit will be installed. Ensure the ground is level and firm.

Install the Base: For the outdoor unit, install a solid, level base, such as a concrete pad or a sturdy metal frame. This base should be slightly elevated to prevent water accumulation and ensure stability.

Mount the Heat Pump: Place the heat pump unit on the prepared base. Secure it firmly to prevent movement or vibration during operation.

Step 2: Install the Air Source Heat Pump Cylinder

Position the Cylinder: Place the air source heat pump cylinder in the designated indoor location. Ensure it is positioned upright and level, with sufficient clearance around it for access.

Connect the Plumbing: Connect the cylinder to the existing plumbing system. This includes the inlet and outlet pipes for hot and cold water. Ensure all connections are secure and leak-free.

Connect the Refrigerant Lines: The refrigerant lines from the outdoor heat pump unit must be connected to the cylinder’s heat exchanger. These lines carry the refrigerant that transfers heat from the pump to the water in the cylinder. It is crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines to avoid refrigerant leaks.

Step 3: Electrical Connections

Power Supply: Connect the heat pump and cylinder to the property’s electrical system. This should be done by a qualified electrician, as it involves connecting the unit to the main power supply and ensuring that it meets all electrical safety standards.

Control System: Install the control system that regulates the operation of the heat pump and cylinder. This may include a thermostat, timers, and other controls that allow you to manage the temperature and heating schedule.

Step 4: Commissioning the System

System Charging: Ensure that the refrigerant levels are correct and that the system is properly charged. This step may require a certified technician, as handling refrigerants requires specific expertise.

Pressure Testing: Conduct a pressure test to check for any leaks in the refrigerant lines or plumbing connections. Address any issues before proceeding.

Flushing the System: Flush the heating system to remove any debris or air trapped in the pipes. This step is important to prevent blockages and ensure efficient operation.

Temperature Settings: Set the desired temperature for the hot water and heating system using the control panel. The recommended setting for most systems is around 60°C, but this can be adjusted based on your preferences and needs.

Step 5: Final Inspection and Handover

Inspect the Installation: Conduct a thorough inspection of the entire system, including the outdoor heat pump unit, the cylinder, and all connections. Ensure everything is installed correctly and complies with safety standards.

User Training: Provide training to the homeowner or building manager on how to operate the system. This includes setting the temperature, using the control system, and understanding basic maintenance tasks.

Documentation: Provide all relevant documentation, including manuals, warranties, and maintenance schedules. This information is crucial for the long-term care and operation of the system.

Post-Installation Considerations

Regular Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and efficiency of the air source heat pump cylinder, regular maintenance is essential. This includes:

Annual Servicing: Schedule annual servicing by a qualified technician to inspect the system, check refrigerant levels, and perform any necessary repairs.

Cleaning: Keep the outdoor unit free from debris and ensure that the indoor cylinder is clean and unobstructed.

Monitoring Performance: Regularly monitor the system’s performance to identify any potential issues early. This includes checking for unusual noises, reduced efficiency, or fluctuations in temperature.

Energy Efficiency Optimization

To maximize the energy efficiency of your air source heat pump system:

Insulation: Ensure that your property is well-insulated to reduce heat loss and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

Smart Controls: Consider upgrading to smart controls that allow for remote management of the heating system. This can help optimize energy use and reduce costs.

Integration with Renewable Energy: If possible, integrate your air source heat pump system with other renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to further enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Conclusion

The installation of an Air Source Heat Pump Cylinder is a significant investment that can greatly improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of your heating system. By following a careful and methodical installation process, you can ensure that your system operates at its best, providing reliable and cost-effective heating for years to come.

[florestawpc]

How WPC Doors Contribute to Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Introduction 

In the quest for sustainable building materials that contribute to energy efficiency, WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) doors have emerged as a popular choice among architects, builders, and homeowners. Manufactured by Floresta, a leading provider of WPC solutions, these innovative doors offer a range of benefits that not only enhance the aesthetics and durability of buildings but also contribute to improved energy efficiency. Let's delve into how WPC doors play a crucial role in promoting energy efficiency in modern buildings.

1. Thermal Insulation Properties:

WPC — a substitute of plywood, made from a blend of wood fibers and thermoplastic polymers, exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties. Compared to traditional wooden or metal doors, WPC doors offer superior insulation against heat transfer, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduce the reliance on heating and cooling systems. By minimizing heat loss during winters and heat gain during summers, WPC doors contribute to overall energy savings and enhanced thermal comfort for building occupants.

2. Reduced Air Leakage:

One of the key factors influencing energy efficiency in buildings is air leakage, which can result in significant energy loss through drafts and infiltration. WPC doors, engineered with precision and sealed tightly within door frames, minimize air leakage and infiltration, creating airtight seals that prevent the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. This tight sealing not only enhances indoor comfort levels but also reduces the workload on HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, leading to lower energy consumption and utility costs.

3. Durability and Longevity:

Floresta WPC doors are renowned for their durability and longevity, offering years of reliable performance with minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike traditional wooden doors, which are susceptible to warping, rotting, and termite damage, WPC sheets are resistant to moisture, insects, and decay, ensuring their integrity and structural stability over time. By choosing WPC, building owners can avoid the costs associated with frequent repairs and replacements, thereby reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

4. Sustainable Material Choice:

Floresta's WPC, a perfect substitute of Plywood, are crafted from eco-friendly materials, including recycled wood fibers and recyclable thermoplastics, making them a sustainable alternative to conventional door materials. By utilizing recycled and renewable resources in their manufacturing process, Floresta reduces the demand for virgin materials and minimizes waste generation, contributing to a more circular and environmentally responsible approach to construction. As a result, buildings incorporating WPC doors can earn green building certifications and contribute to sustainability goals.

5. Versatile Design Options:

WPC doors offer versatile design options to suit a variety of architectural styles and aesthetic preferences. With customizable finishes, textures, and colors available, building owners can choose WPC sheets that complement the overall design theme of their project, whether it's a residential, commercial, or institutional building. Additionally, WPC doors can be molded into various shapes and sizes, allowing for creative designs and configurations that enhance the visual appeal of the building while promoting energy efficiency.

6. Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Process:

Floresta's commitment to sustainability extends to their manufacturing process, which prioritizes energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental responsibility. By employing advanced production technologies and practices, Floresta minimizes energy consumption, water usage, and emissions during the manufacturing of WPC doors. Additionally, any waste generated during the production process is recycled or repurposed, further reducing the environmental footprint of Floresta's operations and products.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, WPCs are a smart choice for enhancing energy efficiency in buildings while promoting sustainability and durability. With their superior thermal insulation properties, reduced air leakage, durability, sustainable material choice, versatile design options, and eco-friendly manufacturing process, WPC sheets contribute to a more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible built environment. As architects, builders, and homeowners increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability, WPC doors are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the buildings of the future.

Also, Read:

Exploring the Aesthetic Versatility of WPC Sheets in Architectural Design

Empowering Homeowners: How Floresta WPC Products Enhance Residential Properties

Originally published at https://florestaproducts.blogspot.com

[cmbhvac]

Preventive HVAC Maintenance: Saving Costs and Avoiding Breakdowns

Your HVAC system is the unsung hero of your home. It silently ensures that you have a comfortable and reliable space to relax inside, no matter the season, climate, or temperature outside.

Whenever an HVAC system is neglected or forgotten about, it can experience a sudden breakdown, disrupting your comfort level. That is where the importance of HVAC maintenance takes center stage. If you want that year-round comfort you rely upon, you need regular preventative care that ensures your system runs smoothly and efficiently.

The primary goal of any HVAC maintenance strategy is to keep your system running at its optimal point throughout the year. Not only does this help with preventing surprise breakdowns, but it lowers your monthly expenses. The quicker you can deal with any minor error before it gets bigger, the less likely you will have to replace a system, which can be a significant expense.

Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance

•    Fewer repairs: When you do regular HVAC maintenance, you can expect a reduced frequency of needed repairs. This means you don’t have to hire a technician to come out for an intervention like replacing a frame belt or dealing with a broken motor.

•    Safer equipment operation: Anytime an HVAC system is not being adequately maintained, it can pose a severe risk to your safety. For example, if you have a crack in the furnace or heat exchanger, that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks. To avoid these issues, you want regular maintenance checks to identify these hazards as quickly as possible.

•    Extended equipment life: One of the most significant benefits of HVAC maintenance is prolonging the lifespan of your equipment. These are highly efficient modern machines, but I can’t trigger a cascade of significant problems if a single part fails. Avoiding that chain reaction extends the life of your system.

•    Lower energy bills: An efficient HVAC system uses less energy and costs you fewer dollars every month. Preventative maintenance ensures that you spend less on maintaining your home's comfort.

DIY HVAC Maintenance Tasks

Before you look at the list of preventative maintenance that you can do on your own, always keep in mind that if you are uncomfortable doing any of these minor repairs, you should hire a professional. It is always better to hire someone who understands the unique subtle nuances of your system than trying to get in there and figure it out on your own. A small error, utterly unintentional on your part, can leave two problems down the road.

That being said, there are a few things you can do on your own:

•    Regularly check and replace the air filter every month. •    Remove any debris from around the outdoor unit to ensure you always have unobstructed airflow. •    Regularly clean the outdoor unit with a hose to remove dirt accumulation. •    Trim away any foliage to maintain at least 18 inches of clearance around the outdoor unit. •    Do spot checks where you walk around indoor or outdoor units to see if anything is leaking or operating at a loud volume.

For anything else, you really should contact our team at CMB HVAC. We have over 20 years of experience operating with household and commercial units and provide a cost-effective HVAC maintenance schedule to ensure you get the most lifespan out of your specific unit. Call us today or schedule a quote, and let’s find a perfect solution for you.

[ringhx]

Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers Repair and Service: Ensuring Efficiency and Reliability

Plate and frame heat exchangers are essential components in various industrial processes, facilitating efficient heat transfer between two fluids. However, like any mechanical system, they require regular maintenance and occasional repairs to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Recognizing this need, Ring Heat Exchanger offers a comprehensive maintenance and repair service tailored specifically for plate and frame heat exchangers, guaranteeing that they function as efficiently as when they were new.

Understanding Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers

Plate and frame heat exchangers operate on the principle of transferring heat between two fluids through metal plates. These plates, arranged in a frame, create parallel flow channels for the fluids, allowing for a significant increase in surface area contact. This design promotes a more efficient heat exchange process, enabling rapid temperature changes. However, over time, various factors can lead to performance issues and even failure of the heat exchanger.

[altexinc]

Bundle Replacement, Re-Tubes & Repairs I Altex Industries

Altex Technologies offers bundle replacement, re-tubing, and repair services for a variety of heat exchanger types, including shell and tube, plate and frame, and air-cooled heat exchangers. 

[sa179tubes]

6 Maintenance Tips For Plate Heat Exchanger

Maintenance and inspection schedules for plate heat exchangers depend on a variety of factors, including the environment (time, temperature, and concentrations), frequency of use, and regulatory mandates. Different industries have different maintenance requirements, and different processes will affect your heat exchanger differently. The best way to maximise uptime is to establish a preventative maintenance schedule. 

Online and Offline Cleaning :

Cleaning online prevents fouling and scaling without interrupting operation or shutting down the heat exchanger. Online cleaning can be used as a standalone approach or in conjunction with chemical treatment to prevent any reduction in the heat exchanger performance and to extend the service life of the tube. Online cleaning techniques include the recirculating ball type system and the brush and basket system.

Offline cleaning is another effective cleaning technique for improving heat exchanger efficiency and reducing operating costs. Pigging involves the use of a bullet-like piece of equipment placed inside the tube and pushed down the tube with high air pressure. Other offline cleaning methods include chemical cleaning, hydro-blasting, and hydro-lancing.

As a result of both methods, the heat exchanger is restored to its optimal efficiency before scaling and fouling begin to creep in and negatively impact its efficiency.

Maintaining Heat Exchanger :

Maintaining plate heat exchangers to avoid fouling, blockages, and leaks is the best way to boost efficiency and output. In the absence of periodic maintenance, heat exchanger efficiency is bound to be compromised, resulting in reduced heat transfer, potentially higher energy costs, fluid cross-contamination, and erosion. It can be safely concluded that all heat exchanger performance problems can be avoided by implementing an appropriate maintenance program.

Periodic Cleaning :

It is most effective to flush out all the dirt and debris that degrade heat exchanger efficiency over time with periodic cleaning-in-place. Draining both sides of the PHE and isolating it from the system fluid is required for this technique. The water should be flushed out from both sides until it runs clear. Flushing should be performed in the opposite direction of regular operations. 

As soon as this is done, a cleaning agent is passed using a solution tank and a circular pump, while making sure the agent is compatible with the gaskets and plates of the PHE. Lastly, the system should be flushed with water until the discharge stream is clear.

Cleaning the PHE Manually :

You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning manually. Ideally, the plates should be cleaned without being separated from the frame, so when installing a PHE, it is essential that there is enough space for manual cleaning.

In the next step, a cleaning agent is applied to eliminate dirt and debris, followed by a thorough rinsing with a soft bristle and pressurised water. It is not recommended to use metal pads or brushes, as they may irritate or dislodge the plates.

Minimising the Fouling Factor :

Heat exchanger efficiency is highly affected by the velocity of the operating fluid, so it is recommended that the flow rate be increased periodically. Turbulence retards fouling, which otherwise impacts heat exchanger performance and impedes fluid flow. The duration and frequency of preventive maintenance and periodic cleaning will, however, vary depending on the velocity of the fluids being processed and the foundering tendencies of the medium.

Analysing and Addressing Issues in Heat Exchanger Efficiency :

Efficiency issues with heat exchangers may not always appear as leaks, fouling, or blockages. While many problems are minor, if left unchecked, they can cause irreparable damage to expensive equipment, resulting in unplanned downtime and emergency repairs.

The process data documented around maintaining heat exchangers offers valuable insight into various important factors, such as flow rate, pressure, and channel inlet and outlet temperatures. Using this data, we are alerted to impending issues that may become uncontrollable if not addressed on time.

If you are not using energy optimally, you are losing money every minute. Follow these tips to improve heat exchanger efficiency and save fuel in almost any application.

To find out more about this article, please click here; https://sa179tubes.com/6-maintenance-tips-for-plate-heat-exchanger/ 

#sa179 #satubes #steelpipe #steeltubes #SA179Tubes #SA179TUBES

[kineticengineeringcorporation]

Heat Exchangers in Commercial or Industrial Buildings

Heat exchangers are devices used to transfer heat from one medium to another. These systems can be found in a wide range of settings, from residential homes to commercial and industrial buildings. In these places, they are commonly used as part of the air conditioning and heating systems. However, what most people don’t know is that there is more to a heat exchanger than meets the eye. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of custom heat exchanger available, how they work and why they are so important for commercial or industrial buildings.

What is a heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat from one medium to another. The most common type of heat exchanger is the shell and tube type, which consists of a series of tubes through which a hot fluid flows, and a shell through which a cold fluid flows. The two fluids do not come into contact with each other, but they exchange heat by conduction through the walls of the tubes.

Heat exchangers are used in a variety of applications, including heating and cooling buildings, powering automobiles, and industrial processes. In commercial or industrial buildings, heat exchangers are often used to recover waste heat from process equipment such as boilers, compressors, and refrigeration systems. This wasted energy can then be used to offset the heating or cooling loads of the building, reducing the overall energy consumption of the facility.

Heat Exchangers in Commercial or Industrial Buildings and Types

Many commercial or industrial buildings use heat exchangers for many applications to meet their productivity needs. 

1. Heat Exchanger In HVAC systems: 

Heat exchangers are used in HVAC systems to transfer heat between two mediums, often air and liquid. This is done to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool a building.

2. Plate Heat Exchanger:

A plate heat exchanger consists of a series of thin metal plates with holes in them that allow two different fluids to pass through them. Heat is transferred from one fluid to the other as they pass through the plate heat exchanger.

3. Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers:

Shell & tube heat exchangers are typically used for high-pressure applications and consist of a series of tubes arranged in a shell. They can be used for heating, cooling, and condensing applications, depending on the specific application needs.

4. Finned-tube Heat Exchangers:

Finned-tube heat exchangers are designed for use in low-pressure applications and consist of a series of tubes with fins attached to them that increase their surface area available for heat exchange. These types of heat exchangers are commonly used in commercial or industrial buildings, such as those that need to maintain precise temperatures or humidity levels when storing items like food products or pharmaceuticals.

Why heat exchangers need special attention

Many commercial and industrial buildings have heat exchangers that need special attention. These devices are used to transfer heat from one fluid to another, and they are often located in difficult-to-reach places. As a result, they can be subject to corrosion and other problems that can lead to expensive repairs or replacements.

When choosing a heat exchanger for your commercial or industrial building, it is important to select a unit that is designed for the specific application. There are many different types of heat exchangers available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the most common types of heat exchangers include shell and tube, plate and frame, and air-cooled. Each type of heat exchanger has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to consult with an expert before making a decision.

In addition to selecting the right type of heat exchanger, it is also important to have the unit serviced on a regular basis. This will help to prevent problems such as corrosion and scale buildup, which can lead to costly repairs or replacements.

Causes of Poor heat exchanger performance and Remedies

There are many potential causes of poor heat exchanger performance, but some of the most common are:

-Dirty or fouled heat exchanger surfaces

-Insufficient flow rates through the heat exchanger

-Improperly sized or designed heat exchanger

-Damaged or faulty heat exchanger components

Fortunately, there are also a number of remedies that can be employed to improve heat exchanger performance. Some of the most effective include:

-Cleaning or replacing dirty or fouled heat exchanger surfaces

-Increasing the flow rate through the heat exchanger

-Optimizing the size and design of the heat exchanger

-Inspecting and repairing damaged or faulty heat exchanger components

Keeping the heat exchanger Happy and Efficient

A heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat from one fluid to another. The most common type of heat exchanger in commercial and industrial buildings is the water-to-air heat exchanger, which is used to transfer heat from water to air.

There are several things that you can do to keep your heat exchanger happy and efficient:

1. Make sure that the water that is being used in the heat exchanger is clean. This means that it should be free of dirt, debris, and other contaminants.

2. The water temperature should be controlled so that it is not too hot or too cold. The ideal range for most water-to-air heat exchangers is between 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The flow rate of the water should be controlled so that it is not too high or too low. The ideal range for most water-to-air heat exchangers is between 2 gallons per minute and 4 gallons per minute.

4. If the heat exchanger is located outdoors, make sure that it is protected from the elements (e.g., snow, ice, rain, etc.). A cover or enclosure can help to protect the heat exchanger from the elements.

5. Inspect the heat exchanger regularly for signs of wear or damage (e.g., leaks, cracks, corrosion). If any problems are found, they should be fixed immediately to prevent further damage to the device.

Conclusion

Heat exchangers are an effective way of transferring heat from one medium to another in a commercial or industrial setting. They can be used for both cooling and heating applications, making them incredibly versatile pieces of equipment with wide-ranging applications. Their efficient operation means they are cost-effective and require minimal maintenance, making them a great option for businesses that need reliable and energy efficient climate control solutions. With these advantages in mind, heat exchangers may be the perfect choice for your business's needs!

[tricias]

Losing Jesus at Christmas

This year was supposed to be full of magic. We would have most of the children home for more than a few days – even the grown ones with a child of their own. A toddler at Christmas would give us all something to delight in, to focus on, to spoil with gifts. I had been imagining and anticipating the giggles and squeals when decorating sugar cookies or opening the advent calendar each morning or reading holiday stories by night. 

As I pulled out all of the decorations box by box, setting out the nutcrackers and hanging the balls and tinsel and lights, I realized that there was something missing. After all the unboxing and placing and arranging, there sat an empty stable – or crèche, as the nativity sets call it. It was the tall wooden half stable I had seen a thousand times as a kid, the straw hay spread and glued on the roof and floor to make it feel more like the animal shelter it represents.

No matter where I looked, I couldn’t find Jesus. Well, I couldn’t find Jesus, Mary, or Joseph, or any of the wise men or shepherds or animals my son played with after my mother handed down the set just a few years before. The nativity figures had been wrapped, I remembered, the Christmas before and placed somewhere safe. So safe, it seemed, they could not be found. Or, perhaps wrapped so well that they were mistakenly thrown out during the course of the year? I hoped not. 

I kept thinking I would find them. So, each day the empty stable sat on top of the cabinet of family games, next to the lamp that comes on every evening and clicks off every night with the tree lights. The stable sat empty while we made meals and laughed. It sat empty while wrapped gifts of various sizes and shapes began accumulating under the tree decorated only in white and gold.

The small wooden frame probably vibrated just slightly as our musician sons pounded the downstairs piano keys in delight once successfully tuned.  And it remained empty when we got the call that the grown kids had gotten sick and could not come after all. Then, the lamp light shone on the scattered hay as the temperature dropped thirty or more degrees and we decided to do our gift exchange early to avoid interruption from the weather.  

The empty stable stayed in the shadows as we surprised my youngest son with the gift he longed for but didn’t quite believe he would get. It stayed dark as the weather snap indeed interrupted life, leaving us without power or water. Eventually, a few lights and the heat returned with the repair of our generator.  But the lamp next to the empty nativity, considered luxury, stayed off. 

Soon, five-gallon buckets of water hauled from the creek, sat beside the darkened cabinet. And I saw the empty nativity set every single time I dipped from those buckets to gather water to flush, boil, or clean. 

Then, seemingly in a flash, the kids and relatives left one or two at a time until eventually, the house fell quiet. I sipped my coffee and cocoa in silence one sunset and stared at that empty frame wondering if it was a picture of my own heart. Oh well, I thought, I guess I’ll order some replacements next fall. The calendar flipped, then ran out, and the new year arrived like snow on a bank, slowly at first then all at once. 

And so, the tree went back in its bag. The knick-knacks and ornaments got packed. The games and gifts found new homes in our daily lives. We took out the trash and turned the composter. 

And then. As I fought one morning to fit the boxes back under the stairs, digging through a mound of old lights I wanted to throw out, there I spied a reused box buried under the lights I had not used that year. I grinned to myself and narrowed my eyes.  There, wrapped tightly with care was each figure I had figured was now lost. 

Without fanfare or ritual or recognition by anyone but me, the Christ baby came back to my stable this year, long long after Christmas was gone. 

[purlturtle]

That day I disembowelled a duck.

(no animals were harmed in the making of this.)

Waaaay back in 2007 (nothing like going through old photos to feel nostalgic), when I still had long hair, and a girlfriend who was taller than me (6'1 to my 5'10; we were both tol ladies), that girlfriend had an old 2CV (aka "Ente" or duck) who needed surgery. Here we are bringing it from Bavaria, where it had lived in a barn, to where we lived:

(ID: two white women in winter clothing stand on the side of a trailer on which is a red 2CV car.)

The following surgery pictures are not for the faint of heart, so I'll put them under a readmore. Expect two lesbians with tools, buckets of rust, and a fully disassembled duck.

We had the help of a local duck surgeon who lent us his shed and his tools for the job, and his hands too. He also brought his son along for the experience; never too early to get into close contact with duck bowels.

(ID: full frontal of the duck, with Tol Lady administering penetrating oil to the notch that holds the hood, which she's holding up over her head.)

Just to give you an idea how tol this lady is...

The left fender has already been removed (a four-screw job), and you can see the right fender, the headlights on their mount, the engine (of which more later) and behind that the gearbox (ditto), and above that on the left the tiny little windshield water box (white with blue contains). The 2CV's engine doesn't need coolant; it's fully air-cooled, that's what the big fan in the center is for.

Next to the water box you can see two round holes in the panel; these are air intakes for the heating; they exchange hot air with the engine cooling system and pipe it into the cabin. Between them you can see a crank: that is how the gear selector lever connects to the gear box; fully mechanical and very simple. Underneath Tol Lady is the little holder box for the battery, and the wiring for the car. (There isn't a lot of that: battery to ignition, ignition to engine, lights, blinkers, radio. Dome light is an extra.)

Fenders and hood fully removed. In the passenger cabin, Till's son is unimpressed; Till himself is cleaning up something or other.

Doors and front seats removed. Hooray for hydraulic wrenches!

Engine, with the back seat bench behind (which can be removed with just a lever and a pair of hands, and was advertized as "you can take it on a picnic!"), and Till's kid's toy locomotive engine framed by the fenders. And yes, that is a cookie tin on the toy engine, and yes, that is how tiny this engine is. 602 cubic centimeters, yielding a whopping 28 horse power. Since the car only weighs 560 kilos (1235lb) though, that little engine brings it to a top speed of 120kph/75mph. Downhill. With a tail wind.

The busted gear shift (you can see in the center the cracked shaft between the two sets of ball bearings), which subsequently I changed with my own two hands (not pictured)! I was reassured by Till telling me "there's only one way in which you can mess this up, and then you'll have four reverse gears and one forward gear." Thanks, Till. That helps.

Good thing this duck had another duck for reassurance too; I'm sure it was very embarrassing to be sitting there without an engine. Also, the rust is slowly becoming visible...

The 2CV car is basically a chassis cabin that sits on a frame (which you'll see in the next pics). This is a very old-timey construction; most cars even back when this was built had integral bodies where cabin and frame were one. But, this old-timey construction made the 2CV incredibly easy to build and repair - for example, you only need three sizes of wrenches, and the main size (for example on the wheel nuts) is also the size of the car jack crank. However, you do need to be a good welder if you wanna do any kind of welding job on a 2CV, because the sheet steel is SO thin that if you don't know what you're doing, you've cut the sheet when you wanted to mend it.

Rolling up the vinyl roof in preparation of taking the cabin off.

Simple engine lifter is plenty strong enough for the job. Behold the high tech "4x4 wood beam with old bike tubes" lifting assembly.

Et voilà. Cabin and frame successfully separated. Now to assess the rust damage that the frame has sustained over the years.

These frames were simple steel. Not galvanized, nothing - just a thin paint job, and lots of nooks and crannies where any water that got in never got out again. Until it had rusted its way out, that is.

French puff pastry, or rust flakes where there used to be steel? You pick.

Good thing we couldn't drive this Duck due to the busted gear shift; this frame was an accident waiting to happen.

Oh god oh fuck.

(ID: an empty spot where the Duck used to stand, with lots of rust on the ground. In the foreground is an axle, in the background a car jack.)

The remains of the day, and the largest wrench we used, to detach the suspension arms from the side of the frame.

What we did after this was swap the croissant old frame for a new (galvanized! we couldn't spring for a stainless one, but at least galvanized steel!!) frame, put a new (well, used, but still functional) gearbox in (still fucking proud of that), tidied it up with a few nice welding jobs done by Till, and passed inspection first go!!

And then we drove 1500 km/900mi to Sweden. But that's a story for another day.

(ID: Sticker on a dusty, red car trunk, reading in black script: Speed kills! Buy a 2CV! Live forever!)

[smallblip]

Have you seen the latest AOT Modern AU merch? How about Levi and Hange doing it in Levi's convertible?

Here's a fanart based from that if you haven't seen it yet:

https://twitter.com/pasd31/status/1412334957972819968?s=09

Combining these prompts💖 included some religious imagery for that one anon who left that spicy prompt with Pastor Nick’s religious class😬. Thank you anons for being patient with my underdelivering self😌💖 this is a continuation of 50s AU because I’m soft for it💖 Rated for mentions of sex. Not explicit.

Strawberries and cream

They’re driving toward the sunset when she rolls down the windows of his Chevy to press her cheek against the wind. Her eyes are closed and she’s smiling- a lift of her maraschino cherry lips. Levi imagines she tastes like Summer.

And when they’re parked at a drive-in theatre, Levi learns she tastes better than his dreams. Like strawberries and cream and the slight push of the swing as he calls out-

Higher. Higher. Higher.

The Ten Commandments play on screen.

“You gotta wine and dine ‘em. Take her some place nice.” Jean had said. But what does he know? He’s a kid that hangs out at their repair shop to ditch school and Kenny finds him amusing enough to keep around.

Levi listens anyway, because he’s never really dated a girl from the suburbs before. They had a meal at the fanciest place he can afford- which isn’t much. And now they’re here. Levi apologises for the movie and she throws her head back to laugh.

“Now this is a story to tell the kids…” she says, with so much confidence that Levi finds it hard to breathe. He’s just someone to pass the time with. That’s what he tells himself. That she’s too good for him and one day she’s going to wake up and realise that she’s no longer satisfied with one dollar milkshakes. But later on, she tells him the best meal she’s ever had was a gas station hotdog when she was six, and that makes Levi pull a face.

“Really? That’s disgusting…”

For now though, her palm is sliding up the inside of his thigh, fingertips catching the seams.

[The Lord of Hosts will do battle for us. Behold His mighty hand!]

They’re already in the backseat of his car, and her hands are on his chest, pulling him atop her as her head collides with the leather seats.

“Four eyes…” he says when he accidentally bumps his nose against the frame of her glasses.

Hanji aims her glasses at the dashboard. She misses and they disappear below the seats. She puts a hand on his cheek and guides his distracted gaze back to her. Later. He loves her face. It’s a nice face, he thinks.

[There is a beauty beyond the senses, Nefretiri. Beauty like the quiet of green valleys and still waters. Beauty of the spirit that you cannot understand.]

Hanji’s finger comes to tap the tip of his nose. Tap tap. “Ever the charmer, Levi…” she replies, beaming. A very nice face, he thinks. He can look at her forever. But forever won’t wait. So he leans down to kiss her. And all he can think of is that swing in the backyard of his old house, and a gentle request-

Higher. Higher. Higher.

Her lipstick is smudged and they’re both laughing as Levi tries desperately to wipe it off her face and his. There’s a flicker of something pensive across his face, it appears as a frown. Hanji’s about to ask but he has already plucked up the courage to let the words manifest-

“Can I?”

Two words. Levi has just two words to his name and he’s asking for the world. But Hanji Zoë is laughing beneath him, guiding his hand past the bunching of her skirt, higher, higher, higher. His eyes widen in momentary shock when he realises, and she does nothing to soothe his surprise, she makes no excuses, just a wink, and an encouraging tug of his arm. This- a thing of the movies- I’m not wearing any underwear…

In exchange for two words, Hanji Zoë offers him heat. The warmth of her thighs wrapped around his head. The burn of her skin against his. The fevered delirium when he pushes inside her. Levi is high up on the swing. He’s so close to the skies now-

Harder. Harder. Harder.

And when he tumbles off the swings onto the grass, Hanji is there beside him, giggling. He doesn’t even realise he’s staring.

“I know that look Levi Ackerman…” she smiles. And Levi can’t help himself, so he leans in and kisses the corners of her lips. Kiss. Strawberries. Kiss. And cream.

“What look?” He replies.

“The look of a man in love…”

She laughs when his face puckers into a scowl. The music hits a crescendo and God speaks through the screen, off-screen, just an omnipotent, disembodied baritone- I am, that I am.

“So?” There’s urgency in her voice. She has to get to the bottom of this.

“What?” He shoots back, equally impatient.

“Are you in love?”

[I am, that I am.]

The silence lasts for a heartbeat, no more.

“I am.”

Levi thinks about what Jean had said to him before he left- freshly bathed, spritz of cologne, hair slicked back- “you gotta keep them guessing… That’s how you keep them interested…”

Oh well. What does Jean know. Hanji’s the smartest person Levi knows, she’s not one for games, and she knows what she wants. He had known this the day she slipped him her number. He still remembers talking to her on the phone for hours before hearing her parents hollering for her somewhere in the background- “Zoë! You’d better not still be talking to that boy!”

And here they are-

Talking.

“Good…” she whispers, she shifts her attention to the screen now, slipping her hand in his. Later she will lean her head against his shoulder. This feels better than her dreams.

I am too…