Merchandise Mart
Project Description
The Hill Group was the prime contractor to design and build the modifications to the district chilled water plant in The Merchandise Mart. This is the fourth plant connected to the chilled water piping distribution system serving the Downtown and River North areas.
Seven new 1,920-ton centrifugal chillers are arranged to work in conjunction with the original centrifugal chillers and thermal storage plant increasing total plant capacity to 22,000 tons. River water from the adjacent Chicago River is used as the condensing medium. The river water system was entirely renovated with reworked intake, traveling screens, filters, pumps and up to 48 inch piping mains.
The electrical system includes a new ComEd vault to consolidate all the plant’s electrical service. 12kV electrical service is distributed to four switchboards which then step-down power to 5kV for the chillers and major pumps and 480V for miscellaneous loads.
A portion of an existing parking garage was demolished for the chiller plant. A new pump distribution room was built.
The project also includes ventilation, fire protection, and plumbing scopes of work.