Drake Extrusion improves efficiency with Babcock Wanson process heating 19 December 2013

Polypropylene fibres and yarns manufacturer Drake Extrusion has upgraded process heating at its Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, plant, with two new Babcock Wanson thermal fluid heaters.

The firm is s long standing Babcock Wanson user, having installed one of its small steam generators in 2001, followed by a thermal fluid heater and 16 electric thermal fluid heaters, supplied as part of its yarn processing packaged equipment.

However, with the equipment reaching the end of its useful life, Drake has upgraded to modern, more efficient equipment and now expects to save substantial energy costs.

Two TPC1000B gas fired heaters were installed, with each heat user provided with a secondary circuit to ensure correct design thermal flow rate and temperature, which varies from 100 to 280°C. These are automatic coil type, multi-pass thermal fluid units complete with integrated burner, control system and safety devices.

A spokesperson explains that this will allow Drake to reduce fuel costs by replacing electrical heating with natural gas, while also freeing up factory space as the 16 heaters and much of the pipe are removed.

Babcock Wanson also supplied a purpose-built external housing for the new heaters, as well as all ancillary equipment, including pumps, tanks, control valves, manual valves, thermal fluid pipe work, gas pipe work.

The TPC1000B is designed to optimise heat distribution, with high fluid velocity in the exchange tubes and continuous flow monitoring. It is claimed to precisely match fuel input to plant energy requirements and, with lower energy input demand, also reduced total exhaust emissions.

Brian Tinham

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Babcock Wanson UK Ltd

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