BOILERS & BURNERS


2. Unattended boiler operation Where thermal fluid heaters are not an option, steam generators remain, but these require a far higher level of skill to operate. Some of this can be mitigated by introducing unattended boiler operating systems. Traditionally these were used by organisations whose operational hours extend beyond the standard. However, recent years have seen a considerable acceleration in both the popularity of these systems (our customers now ask for it as standard) and the length of time they are able to safely operate unattended, from three to seven days. Systems, such as our own


Addressing the skills gap in the face of climate change


There is a noticeable drive to replace inefficient boilers and burners with modern energy efficient heat raising systems, but has the industry got the skills to manage the transition? Etienne Fourie highlights some ways manufacturers can help customers to bridge the skills gap.


Technical sales manager Babcock Wanson


Etienne Fourie www.babcock-wanson.com


A


recent international survey by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) confirms what the engineering


sector has been saying for years: that a considerable skills gap exists which impacts productivity. What’s particularly interesting to note from this latest survey is that, in the face of climate change, that gap feels more like a chasm. According to the survey, two thirds of UK employers are concerned about climate change and most have made a technological or organisational change to lower their environmental impact in the last three years, primarily focussed on emissions reductions. However, around three-quarters think their organisation does not have the full skillset to be resilient against climate change, and 29% feel their organisation is not agile enough to adapt. The majority of those surveyed (63%) largely put the blame for the skills gap on the education system’s failure to prepare young people to work in their industry. However, the engineering


16


sector also has a role to play here by providing appropriate training and quality apprenticeship schemes. With process heating being a major


consumer of energy and source of emissions within industry, it’s an area that manufacturers and engineering firms across the UK – and the world – are focussing their decarbonisation efforts and resources on. Inefficient boilers and burners are being replaced with modern energy efficient heat raising equipment and systems that incorporate heat recovery, and we are seeing a big move towards electric powered systems, away from fossil fuel. But as we make these changes, the


skills to operate and manage much of this equipment is in short supply as we have clearly seen. So, if the skills aren’t readily available, what options does


industry have? The answer has to be to reduce or remove the skills required, which is where manufacturers such as Babcock Wanson have a role to play. We can’t solve the skills gap but we can engineer some of the skill out of day- to-day operation. Here we suggest four ways to help bridge the skills gap:


1. Thermal fl uid heaters Increasingly popular, thermal fluid heaters work at high temperatures in a simple closed loop. When compared to a steam system this means no change of state of the fluid so no condensate and therefore no flash steam losses, no blow down losses or make up water required, no effluent discharge and completely corrosion free without the need for expensive chemical treatment. Not only are they more energy and cost-effective but in the context of the skills gap they are much easier to operate daily. Furthermore, they operate outside the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations as the fluid is not maintained in the liquid phase by pressure, so are safer. Across Europe and now in the


EPC EL electric thermal fluid heater


UK there is a move towards electric thermal fluid heaters, such as our newly launched EPC EL which, being modular, can be configured in series and parallel to meet different applications and site requirements.


BW7DAYS, make for easier operation requiring less skill. Once set up for unattended operation, all the user needs to do is monitor for any operational alarms and undertake a very simple 15 minute test every three or seven days, which is completed without interfering with boiler operation and is acknowledged to the boiler control system, thereby ensuring the tests are completed to the operating schedule. Improved safety and conformance with current and future UK & EU legislation is also a key benefit and one that even 24/7 operational sites that are fully staffed are increasingly attracted to.


3. Water treatment services All steam raising equipment requires the feed water to be treated to prevent corrosion. Both the quality of the steam and the longevity of the boiler producing it are completely dependent upon the condition of that water feed. Poorly prepared water can cause rapid and costly damage to the heating surface and can lead to the end of a boiler’s working life in a short period of time. Water treatment is a skilled task, so consider outsourcing this. At Babcock Wanson we have a partnership with water treatment specialists Deep Water Blue to conduct this service and, in between scheduled consultancy visits, our vSteam web portal allows customers to simply enter daily readings online and receive real-time feedback support.


4. Outsource maintenance Regular service and maintenance are essential for steam plant to ensure smooth operation and safety, but even thermal fluid heating systems benefit from regular servicing. Being able to operate such a system does not mean you have the skills to maintain it. Outsourcing this to a specialist, or the manufacturer itself, ensures the work is conducted to a professional level by experienced, trained service engineers. ■


EIBI | NOVEMBER � DECEMBER 2024


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44