Greener Upgrades blog series #8
Hiring temporary containerised steam systems
Our energy efficient containerised steam systems utilise unique and effective steam generator technology. They provide a versatile solution for a wide range of industries, including petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and healthcare. They can be integrated into your daily operations to assist with capacity challenges, support equipment testing, maintenance, and turnarounds, replace inefficient equipment, facilitate production scale-up or meet new emission legislation standards.
Steam projects can be complex, however with the right equipment and organised process, response times can be reduced from days to just hours.
This blog describes the process of hiring a temporary steam boiler from Aggreko.
Initial consultation
The initial consultation helps us gather essential information about the project, site, and application. Understanding specific requirements allows us to tailor our solutions effectively. Some of the key information we require includes:
- The application/process details, understanding the application i.e. whether the steam will be used for cooking, space heating, fermentation, or other processes
- The demand for steam and if the supply is stable or variable
- The steam quality or dryness, quantity of steam, and required operating pressure
- Fuel availability and the type of fuel on-site
- Feedwater pressure, temperature and quality
- If the system operates on condensate return
- Piping distance, for steam, supply water, and condensate piping
- Connection type
- Laydown area details
In-depth project design
Our steam technical experts utilise information to design a customised project plan. They may require additional details such as:
- Site-specific constraints: physical constraints or environmental conditions
- Safety and compliance requirements: any specific safety standards or regulatory compliance needs
- Energy efficiency goals: specific targets or goals for energy efficiency
Using this detailed information, we design the most efficient and safe solution for your site, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with industry standards. We are also able to provide 3D & 2D Images of the unit and specific installation drawings.
Prior to delivery
Handover for a steam boiler ensures safe and efficient transfer of responsibilities from the installation or maintenance team to the operational team. This involves exchanging documentation, conducting initial inspections and system testing, and performing a joint walkthrough of the equipment to familiarise the operational team with the boiler. Safety features and operational procedures are be reviewed with on-site operators and maintenance staff.
The water quality check involves sampling and analysis of elements such as pH, hardness, alkalinity, chlorides and contaminants like iron and copper. Based on results adjustments can be made to our system which incorporates chemical dosing, water softening, deaeration, and blowdown to maintain optimal boiler operation and prevent issues like scaling and corrosion. Proper documentation and alignment to industry standards and local regulations are also essential.
Ensuring how we can interface with the customer's systems, assessing connection points, checking requirements.
Logistics
We arrange transport on your behalf. Our containerised steam units are designed for easy transport and installation:
- Lightweight and compact our units do not require special transport or expensive crane costs
- Available in 10ft (2T/hr units) or 20ft (5.5T/hr units) containers with an energy-dense design
- Multiple units can be connected in parallel to meet higher steam demands
The above points speed up delivery times from days to hours. Once on site we ensure correct placement in the predefined laydown area, ensuring sufficient clearance and alignment with required utilities.
Installation
All our steam boiler installations are carried out by a team of qualified steam experts to ensure a smooth and safe installation.
Our containerised steam systems come with built in chemical treatment, blowdown and water pumps, so there is less interconnecting pipework to consider, reducing installation to hours rather than days, in addition to minimising the required laydown area.
Depending on the project requirements, specialist ancillaries such as pressure reducing valves or steam hard piping may need to be fitted.
Testing & commissioning
After installation our specialist engineers will test the system to insure everything is functioning optimally. These tests will include:
Run test: tests performance under normal working conditions and monitoring key parameters such a pressure, temperature, water level, and fuel consumption.
Leak test: detects any leaks in the boiler system, which is crucial for maintaining efficiency and safety.
Test of safety circuit: ensures safety mechanisms are functioning correctly to prevent unsafe conditions. This includes testing safety valves, pressure switches, water level controls, emergency shutdown systems, and electrical safety circuits.
Our steam boilers benefit from rapid start up, with steam production in as little as 3 minutes.
After commissioning, our steam experts will run through a familiarisation with the designated site contact. Either our trained staff or trained personnel on site can operate the equipment.
Maintenance & servicing
We manage servicing and maintenance in-house, adhering to maintenance schedules and performing routine inspections to ensure maximum uptime and optimal performance. We also provide a 24/7 contact number for any requirements during the project.
Ongoing project support
All our boilers are equipped with Aggreko Remote Monitoring (ARM), allowing us to monitor the health of our equipment remotely. We track factors such as operating temperatures and pressures to ensure smooth operation and maximum efficiency. Additionally, a sector specialist sales representative will be available to support your project throughout its duration.
Decommissioning
We arrange and perform the decommissioning and deinstallation of the equipment.
Project evaluation
Our experienced sector experts will consult with you about the project and help plan for future requirements.
Certifications
It is critical that equipment holds the right safety and standards. For Europe, our coil steam boilers comply with the below standards and certifications:
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Conclusion
By offering comprehensive support from initial consultation to decommissioning, we ensure the temporary boiler hire process is efficient and hassle free, tailored to meet specific project needs, safety and compliance requirements.