Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, June 6, 2001
We have a lot of old stuff new ideas'
Power plant employees gather near the loading dock at the end of the work day. Recently, they have been busy preparing one of the five boilers for inspection, as well as installing upgrades that will make the boiler more efficient and less dangerous.
Mike Burke, supervisor of the KU power plant, says that the production and distribution of energy poses a diametrical problem to the United States and many other nations. Burke says energy is not just a national problem. It begins locally on campus. The KU power plant, which is southeast of Wescoe Hall, is slowly upgrading its facility to become more efficient in energy production, less wasteful and less hazardous to human health.
On the outside, the power plant's rigid masonry is reminiscent of the early 20th century industrial era. However, inside, the plant works like a healthy, although aging, machine, that serves the entire campus with heat, steam and water.
Power plant employee Rick Reeves installs a direct chemical feed line to one of the five boilers as Dennis Flatts takes a break after delivering the needed supplies. The new line transports chemicals from a large barrel on the bottom level of the power plant to the boiler on the second level. The chemicals were once delivered by hand to the boiler, which Supervisor Mike Burke said was dangerous and inefficient.
Power plant Supervisor Mike Burke is everything except inexperienced when it comes to producing energy. Burke spent 25 years in the U.S. Navy where he worked in steam propulsion before coming to KU three years ago. While in the Navy, he worked on ships that traveled to Vietnam, Pakistan, Australia and South America. "The only large body of water haven't been in the Black Sea," said Burke.
KU Facilities Operation Employee Rick Reeves walks down a tunnel that stretches from the bottom level of the power plant to a nearby storage barn . The tunnels, which stretch for an estimated eight miles underground, allow the power plant to deliver heat and water to all parts of campus.
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