Job# VEL2023-009
As part of their push to reduce climate change emissions the University of Canterbury (UC) undertook a major project to convert their industrial scale coal fired boilers to biomass. This allows them to meet the space heating and hot water needs of the campus, while achieving an 80% reduction in carbon emissions (8800 tonnes annual reduction).
UC appointed Lyttelton Engineering as lead contractor with Vortex Engineering a nominated subcontractor. These local companies had the necessary capabilities to design, manufacture and install the equipment that would enable this shift in fuels.
With a change in fuel, came a change in the client’s emissions profile and need to upgrade their flue gas treatment system. The role of Vortex Engineering was in providing the appropriate technology for dealing with the particulate emissions. A dry electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was selected for the application.
Vortex Engineering acted as the project manager for the ESP, coordinating efforts among the Vortex group of companies to ensure successful execution. Design was by Fowlerex Technologies in Sydney, a Vortex group company. Three more Vortex group companies were involved in the manufacture and installation. These were Taylors Manufacturing Ltd, Taurus Engineering Ltd and Airtight Solutions Ltd.
The largest sections of the ESP are the two field casings at 2.93 x 3.9 x 6.9m in size each, these were assembled with the collector plates fitted prior to delivery. This was carried out in the Taylors workshop, the design challenge worth the effort for reduced time on site for installation. Assembled, the completed ESP stands about 12m tall.
The total project also involved design of new biomass fuel silos and fuel delivery systems. Vortex Engineering supplied design and components for the pneumatic conveying systems.
The equipment was commissioned in February 2024. Final performance testing had to wait until full load was applied in the colder winter months. Recent testing under full load conditions has proven that the ESP meets the performance specifications.
