Introduction: The traditional solution to replace inefficient and in some cases obsolete WBH pre-heat systems is to install a new condensing package boiler house system. This replacement option requires that, for the package boiler system to provide the required pre-heat to the gas, a separate heat exchanger system must be installed along with the associated fuel gas system to provide low pressure gas to operate the boilers. The installation of new heat exchangers usually requires major modification to the existing site pipework. The efficiency of standard condensing boiler gas preheat systems is circa 97% at ambient conditions.

The Direct Replacement Preheat Package (DRPP) solution will be contained within a single unit. Supplied with its own, self-contained, pressure breakdown system the proposed DRPP will utilise a combination of condensing boilers in conjunction with Gas Absorption Heat Pumps (GAHP) to provide heat to its ‘EU type’ heat exchanger system, allowing huge improvements in efficiency (around 130%), subject to ambient conditions. The DRPP will be designed and built specifically to utilise existing pipework connections and hard standings to minimise site disruption and maximise fabrication time within controlled workshop conditions.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this project is to research and develop a highly efficient Direct Replacement Pre-heat Package (DRPP) to replace existing in-efficient, obsolete systems at Pressure Reduction Installations (PRIs).

Expected Benefits: The identification and learning that will allow application of a suitable water bath heater (WBH) pre-heat system replacement that offers a more efficient, compact solution.