Turnkey boiler house project

It recycles the waste heat from electricity generation to produce steam in the boiler house that can then be used in the process. This plant will eventually generate enough energy to offset the electrical power needs of Davyhulme, one of Europe’s largest wastewater treatment facilities.

The scope of the contract included three boilers, two boiler feedtanks and a water treatment system. It also included all the associated controls to enable the boilerhouse to run unmanned and maximise energy efficiency, such as automatic TDS and bottom blowdown systems. 

Design started in 2009 and deliveries began early in 2010. Spirax Sarco finished the installation by the end of 2011 and commissioning was completed in February 2012. Spirax Sarco also provided training for United Utilities engineers at its dedicated training centre in Cheltenham.

Black & Veatch, main design and build contractor for the project, carried out operational and performance testing with the client over a 28-day period; these were successfully completed in March 2014. Although the performance tests were challenging the performance requirements and guarantees were all successfully achieved at the first attempt.

In 2013, the Davyhulme plant won the Energy Award at the IChemE awards, with United Utilities and Black & Veatch named as joint winners. The Award recognises innovation in renewable energy, alternative energy sources, efficient energy use or the development of energy production methods that reduce energy and water intensity.