With fuel prices rising all the time and unlikely, in the foreseeable future, to come down the challenge for most plant engineers is to try and reduce boiler running costs. One option being considered more and more by companies is the long term hire of boilers, as Michael Rutter, Sales Engineer of Byworth Boiler Hire explains “ Long term hire has a number of advantages. Not only is the problem of capital outlay for new plant alleviated but hire also ensures the very latest, highly efficient boiler and equipment is made available. In addition long term hire gives companies the flexibility to react to any reduction or increase in heat requirements”.
One company that has certainly seen the benefit of long term boiler hire is Stowmarket based PPG Industries. Originally the paint manufacturer had two 10 tonne boilers running on heavy fuel oil with a large 8” distribution system. To check the efficiency of this plant East Anglia University was engaged to undertake an indepth steam survey. The outcome was they calculated that for every meter of the 8” lagged steam main it cost £400 per year in heat loss. It was also established that the site load had reduced considerably to 3000kg/hr for process and in winter a further 3000kg for heating.
PPG`s Maintenance Manager, Jim Mackay was tasked with the job of overcoming the problem. Initially a 500kg/hr steam boiler from Byworth was hired but during the first winter to heat the paint stores which was the furthest distance from the boiler house supplied by the 8” main. It quickly became clear this was not large enough, but it demonstrated the savings in not running the long pipe leg of 8”. The second year winter hire boiler went up to a 1000kg/hr unit and has become a regular on the site providing the most economical solution for the job. Discussions were also on going for the main site requirements which had a 6000kg/hr winter load and 3,000kg/hr summer load. Byworth then proposed a two boiler solution using a pair of 3,000kg/hr Yorkshireman2 trailerised boilers on a long term basis.
The company is now in the third year of a five year contract and is delighted with the savings it has made and the service it has received from Byworth.
Jim Mackay said “Over the 3 years running two extremely efficient boilers has led to considerable savings on running costs.”
He added “Maintenance and servicing were also included in the favourable terms we were able to negotiate which meant further savings and what`s more Byworth`s engineers are just a phone call away. We are now looking to convert the boilers from light oil to gas which will give us even more savings”.
Byworth Boilers is the UK`s leading independent manufacturer of steam and hot water boilers and pioneered the hiring out of large industrial boilers. Today the company has a fleet of over 100 trailer mounted, static and containerised boilers available for short or long term hire.
