Alliant Energy planning 'steam blows' to prepare new boiler

People near the Prairie Creek Generating Station may hear periodic low rumbles beginning Friday, but there will be no cause for alarm.

Alliant Energy will start a "steam blow" cleaning process as one of final steps of installing a new steam boiler at the electric generating plant on C Street SW in Cedar Rapids. Richard Tripp, Prairie Creek Generating Station plant manager, said the process should  be completed by Nov. 20.

Steam blows clean the steam lines and the boiler after installation and prior to starting the unit in order to remove any foreign matter or debris. Officials say the process is critical to ensuring the reliability of the new steam boiler system and the quality of the steam.

Alliant Energy expects the noise level to be comparable to a jet airplane engine and said residents may also notice greater-than-normal levels of steam released near the generating station during the cleaning process.

"The new boiler system will enhance the reliability and redundancy of our steam system for our industrial customer in the area," Tripp said. "We recognize that unusual increases in noise levels at the generating station can cause concern that something is not working properly.

"However, the cleaning process is a part of the process to ensuring that the new steam system will be operating normally when commercial operation begins."