Before microprocessors and digital control systems dominated boiler rooms, industrial automation relied on precise analog instruments like those pictured below from Republic Instruments and Controls of Chicago. Their line of mercury U-tube electrical flow meters, pressure/llevel gauges, CO₂ analyzers, and boiler meters helped operators monitor everything from steam and air flows to combustion efficiency, all without today’s electronics. […]
Preferred Utilities Assists Michelin North America’s Low Carbon Fuel Oil Breakthrough in Nova Scotia
At Preferred Utilities, we pride ourselves on engineering innovative solutions that help industrial partners embrace cleaner, more sustainable operations. We’re excited to share our role in a groundbreaking Low Carbon Fuel Oil (LCFO) trial conducted at Michelin North America’s Waterville, Nova Scotia facility. This successful two-week combustion trial marked a major step forward in decarbonizing industrial operations. LCFO, […]
Introducing the EnergySaver Payback Analysis Tool: Quantify Your Boiler Room ROI with Confidence
When considering a retrofit for efficiency upgrades, project engineers, facility managers, and energy teams are all being asked the same question: What’s the return? To help answer that question, Preferred Utilities has developed the EnergySaver Payback Analysis Tool, a free, engineering-grade web application that calculates fuel, electricity, and emissions savings from combustion and fan system upgrades. A Smarter […]
Preferred Utilities Builds Hays Cleveland Product Line with Linear Actuators and Draft Control Solution
New from Preferred: Expanding the Hays Cleveland Legacy Earlier this year, we announced Preferred Utilities’ acquisition of the Hays Cleveland product line. We’re excited to share that the next chapter of that legacy is here — with three new products now available to order. Now Shipping! Two Linear Actuators — HC-09130 and HC-0914 New Draft Regulator with Integrated […]
Rethinking fuel control
As seen in Data Centre and Network News Distributed architecture for resilient infrastructure Uninterrupted power is non-negotiable for data centres to provide continuity through every possible scenario, from extreme weather events to grid instability in an ageing infrastructure. Generators, of course, are central to this resilience, but we must also consider the fuel storage infrastructure that powers them. […]
Supporting Safe and Efficient ISI Inspections
One of the most essential tools in maintaining nuclear safety is the In-Service Inspection, or ISI, performed routinely during refueling outages. These inspections ensure that critical systems and components inside the reactor remain in safe, operable condition. They are required by regulatory bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and follow ASME standards. The goal of these […]
Strong documentation streamlines the Loop Plug installation process
During last Fall’s outage season, Preferred Engineering assisted with the installation ofa set of brand-new Hot/Cold Leg Loop Plugs. The process went smoothly thanks to anoutstanding product as well as excellent cooperation and planning with our customer todevelop and document a streamlined approach. While loop plugs may not require frequent installation, their role in nozzle isolation forPressurized Water […]
Custom Auxiliary Bridges Just Make Sense
Power stations have a variety of refueling and maintenance functions and the space available to accomplish them varies widely across facilities. That’s why custom solutions are the only way to go when designing auxiliary bridges that enable those refueling and maintenance tasks to happen. Custom-engineered bridge solutions not only consider the dimensions of your facility but also the […]
Preparing for Upcoming Outage Season
As we head into the Fall 2025 Outage Season, we’re pleased to share with you our Outage Season Lessons Learned and Best Practices. This is an in-depth document capturing the key lessons, best practices, and engineering insights gained during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 outage seasons. This report underscores Preferred Engineering’s commitment to supporting your team in […]
Advancing Low NOx Combustion with Natural Gas & Biogas Piping Trains
Preferred recently completed a Natural Gas and Biogas Piping Train, designed and manufactured in-house, and paired with our API Ranger Burner. This system is built to meet the highest performance and environmental standards, featuring: ✔ Ultra Low NOx emissions for regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility✔ 10:1 turndown capability on both natural gas and biogas for precise load control […]