Full steam ahead for site services

Spirax Sarco, one of the world's largest manufacturers of steam equipment and services, has opted to install Babcock Wanson steam generators into the central boiler house of its Cheltenham-based manufacturing facility

Spirax Sarco is investing more than £25 million to consolidate and modernise its Cheltenham manufacturing facilities to improve customer service through better product availability while also looking at making all aspects of construction and operation more environmentallyfriendly.

This has included the installation of a more efficient and comprehensive steam raising plant for general site services and for testing and developing the Spirax Sarco range of equipment.

Following a competitive tender, in which Babcock Wanson was recognised as an expert in this type of boiler technology, the new boiler house was designed to include three steam generators. The contract was awarded to initially supply two vertical coil type steam generators from Babcock Wanson's VPX RR Series, with a third to follow. Project Manager Tom Hewlett comments on Spirax Sarco's decision: "We were very impressed with the technical information and Babcock Wanson's clear presentation of a solution to meet our requirements. The new boilers will help us greatly improve the production process." The Babcock Wanson VPX5000RR60 boiler will be operated at Spirax Sarco's Cheltenham site to provide up to 5000kg of steam per hour at 60 bar pressure. A further specialist version - the VPX1000RR110 - will provide 1000kg/h of steam at 110 bar. A special boiler - the VPX1000RR110 - will provide a dedicated steam supply to Spirax Sarco's R&D department.

The VPX RR range of vertical coil steam generators feature three full gas passes plus an in-built combustion air pre heater to give high operating efficiency. With availability of steam from cold start in as little as 3min and a low volume of water under pressure, the VPX RR steam generator combines efficiency with safety, even at very high working pressure. Units are rugged in construction and compact.

The pressure containing coil design of the VPX steam generator forms the main combustion chamber with the second and third passes for the gases going between the windings to ensure high gas velocity with good heat transfer and self cleaning of the smoke side.

Accurate flame dimensions are important for any combustion device and the use of a purpose-built and matched Babcock Wanson burner ensures long life and simple operation. The feed water system is simple in operation and easy to maintain, consisting of either a multi piston or diaphragm type positive displacement pump driven from inverter controlled motor for both accurate control and low electrical demand.

As there is no discernable water level with a coil type boiler, the need for gauge glasses and other devices normally associated with fire tube boilers is eliminated with the associated reduction in boiler house manning demands. All functions can be remotely monitored for further peace of mind.

Babcock Wanson VPX RR steam generators form part of the company's range of products and services for boiler houses - from steam boilers, thermal fluid heaters, rapid steam generators and hot water boilers to VOC and odour treatment by thermal oxidation, water treatment or process air heating solutions.