Thermal fluid heating systems are compact, easy to use and are said to offer substantial savings in total energy costs.

A fully automatic coil type, multi-pass thermal fluid heater complete with integrated burner, control system and safety devices, the TPC1000B provides optimal distribution of the heat, high fluid velocity in the exchange tubes and continuous flow monitoring to ensure long thermal fluid and system life and the highest level of safety.

At the Wye Valley 80brl plant, the new external Wort Boiler system and copper are located adjacent to the TPC1000B heater, which is LPG fired.  The thermal fluid circulates through the Wort Boiler heat exchanger, which due to the use of thermal fluid does not require rating as a pressure vessel. Once boiling, the wort will thermosyphon through the heat exchanger without the need to use the copper casting pump at all.

The Wort Boiler control system was a major consideration to Wye Valley. Its biggest seller is Herefordshire Pale Ale which has a colour of only 8 EBC, so great care is required with colour pick up. The Microdat integrated control system, coupled to a fixed flow of thermal fluid and the Babcock Wanson burner control system, has ensured very precise heat transfer to the process which also reduces overall fuel costs.

There is no change of state of the fluid, so no condensate and therefore no flash steam or blow down losses. This means that no make-up water is required and no effluent discharge, plus operation is corrosion free without the need for expensive chemical treatment. The system precisely matches fuel input to plant energy requirements for highest practicable operating efficiency. With lower energy input demand also comes lower total exhaust emissions, so there are also environmental benefits.

Babcock Wanson says that with its TPC B thermal fluid heating system, between 20-50% energy savings can be made when compared to the transfer of the same amount of heat using traditional steam boilers.