Gabe Stark
Reporter

The Trenton City Council approved several utility-related purchases this week, including a heat exchanger for an electric generator at the north substation and new pumps for the water treatment plant.

The most extensive discussion centered on a $21,420 Mueller heat exchanger for Electric Motive Division Unit 2.

Electric Production Supervisor Kyle Sharp said the unit has a ruptured radiator core and has experienced cooling problems.

The city is working toward using a cooling tower and heat exchanger to improve the reliability of the generator rather than depending solely on its locomotive-style radiator.

Ahead of the council approving purchases, councilman Bart Thomas questioned whether repairing the existing radiator would be less expensive.

Thomas said he contacted someone with 32 years of locomotive industry experience who told him individual damaged tubes in some radiators can be closed off while still allowing the system to operate effectively.

“I don’t want to see the taxpayers spend all this money if it’s not necessary,” Thomas said. “If it is, great.”

Sharp said repairing the radiator would still require substantial disassembly and would not solve another problem affecting the generators.

He said some units at the north substation pull in heated air discharged by neighboring generators. Units 2 and 4 have been among those experiencing overheating issues.

Sharp said maintaining reliable cooling is important because the city receives financial credits tied to its ability to generate electricity when needed.

City Administrator Matt Harline said the city plans to seek engineering assistance for a broader review of its electric production system and long-term capital needs.

“We don’t want to waste any of the taxpayers’ money, but we do want to make sure that these engines are functional, because there’s a lot of money at stake,” Harline said.

The council approved the heat exchanger purchase 5-2, with Thomas and Councilman David Mlika voting against it.

Council members also approved $17,300 for VIPower to perform polarization index, breaker and relay testing at the north substation.

Sharp said the city initially sought bids but had difficulty finding companies that could perform the complete range of testing required. VIPower could provide the full scope of work.

At the water treatment plant, the council approved a $40,242.82 bid from Hawkins for new peristaltic metering pumps.

Hawkins submitted the only bid.

Interim Water Supervisor Gunner Golden said the pumps will replace aging sodium hypochlorite equipment that has become less reliable.

Golden said one of the existing pumps previously seized and had to be rebuilt, with replacement parts taking an extended period to arrive.

The current system uses diaphragm pumps, while the replacements will use peristaltic technology similar to equipment already used elsewhere at the plant.

Golden said the simpler design should also make the pumps easier for city employees to maintain.