POWERFUL REVAMP The boiler build being undertaken by Valmet for the Steven’s Croft biomass power station will increase efficiencies and output
Flow control solutions developer Valmet announced in April that it would deliver a major boiler rebuild to the Steven’s Croft biomass power station in Lockerbie, Scotland, in the UK, which is operated by energy infrastructure operator E.ON.
The order is included in Valmet’s orders received in the first quarter 2024, and the rebuild will secure “trouble-free operation of the boiler for years to come”.
Although the value of the order was not disclosed, the scheduled delivery period is said to be during the second quarter of 2024.
Steven’s Croft’s bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) boiler, originally delivered by Valmet, was initiated in 2008.
With good day-to-day maintenance and regular refurbishments, the boiler’s performance has been maintained at an “outstanding” level.
Now, the boiler’s primary superheater, economisers, primary air preheater and screen tubes will be renewed, securing its reliable operation for the future.
Valmet’s delivery will include renewing several key components of the power station’s BFB boiler.
Special corrosion resistant material will be used where applicable to prolong the life of the parts.
“For 16 years, E.ON Steven’s Croft has been providing a low-carbon power and heat solution to the local area, and central to this is the Valmet BFB boiler,” says Steven’s Croft power station site manager Scott Robinson.
He adds the work carried out during the 2024 rebuild project emphatically positions the station to continue to safely deliver its operational objectives, in the “most efficient and commercially-optimised way possible”, while continually maintaining compliance with strict emission limit values.
He points out that Valmet was selected to carry out this major work not only because of its original-equipment manufacturer status, but because of 16 years’ worth of proven excellence in maintaining and optimising the boiler.
“Our close relationship with Valmet has also facilitated a collaborative approach to developing a successful boiler maintenance strategy, underpinned by a long-term service agreement,” Robinson says, adding that he anticipates another successful project delivery.
“We are happy to continue our good, long- standing cooperation with E.ON and Steven’s Croft power station with this delivery,” says Valmet Europe, the Middle East and Africa service manager Nigel Earp.
“We have developed a relationship that enables data sharing and open discussion, leading to numerous successful joint projects over the years – this one inevitably being the next in line,” he concludes.