{"id":15079,"date":"2026-03-01T17:24:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:24:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/?post_type=articles&p=15079"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:26:43","slug":"nia-contractor-member-jt-thorpe-discusses-system-design","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/nia-contractor-member-jt-thorpe-discusses-system-design\/","title":{"rendered":"NIA Contractor Member JT THORPE Discusses System Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NIA members attending Fall Summit voted a mission-critical facility upgrade at a power generating plant performed by JT Thorpe the first-place winner of 2025\u2019s Insulation Project Art Gallery Showcase and Competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pre-Cip (Precipitator) Duct Replacement Project involved meeting a complex series of requirements to accomplish a facility upgrade at the Big Sandy Power Plant in Louisa, Kentucky, owned by American Electric Power (AEP) and operated by AEP subsidiary Kentucky Power. The outlet pre-cip duct, installed in the late 1980s to address environmental concerns, connected to the Unit 1 boiler and was responsible for directing exhaust gases from the boiler to the stack. The current project addressed a significant operational issue: The severely degraded 40-year-old duct had become structurally compromised to the point of requiring replacement. It was allowing cold air infiltration, causing condensation in the stack and reducing system efficiency. Replacing it and properly insulating the new duct would remedy those concerns and provide long-term efficiency for the unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Efficiency is critical to the plant\u2019s ability to comply with federal and state regulatory requirements. In 2014, the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved a plan to convert Unit 1 at Big Sandy from coal-fired to gas-fired electricity generation so the plant would comply with 2015 federal environmental standards. The conversion was completed in May 2016, and the upgraded unit went online May 30, 2016. Nearly 10 years later, the Pre-Cip Duct Replacement Project played a critical role in achieving energy and emissions savings into the future. It is also in keeping with one of the core principles described in AEP\u2019s 2025 Corporate Sustainability Report: environmental respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JT Thorpe\u2019s scope of work involved asbestos abatement to prepare for the removal and demolition of the existing duct, removing the structurally compromised ductwork, and installing new, high-performance systems designed for durability and energy efficiency. Specific sections of the new duct system would be insulated before installation, and the remaining components were to be insulated after the new duct was positioned. JT Thorpe personnel constructed and maintained scaffolding to provide safe access for all crafts throughout project performance, painted and coated all structural components and tie-in points, and ensured that all aspects of the work adhered to AEP\u2019s rigorous safety and operational standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos 1<\/em> and 2<\/em> offer a comparison of the state of
the pre-cip duct before and after project completion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Project Planning and Execution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JT Thorpe submitted a comprehensive scope-of-work package covering abatement, painting, scaffolding, and insulation\u2014including a detailed timeline and schedule. To meet the objectives for the upgrade, the following project goals were established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n