At a bell pepper grower in Luttelgeest, the Netherlands, one of two biomass-fired boilers needed an upgrade.
Previously supplying hot water to the greenhouses, the boiler now also had to deliver superheated water at significantly higher pressure to support a new carbon capture unit.
Our V.CARE Vynckeneers stepped in to make it happen in record time!
More than hot water
The idea was clear: the carbon capture unit needed superheated water, while the greenhouses still depended on hot water.
Rather than investing in an additional energy plant, we upgraded the existing boiler so it could produce both energy media at the same time.
The heart of the upgrade was the replacement of the pressure parts, including a convection section and a high-efficiency economizer. We also modified the process piping, steel structures, maintenance platforms, cleaning and de-ashing systems. The electrical installation and automation were adapted too, allowing all the new equipment to work smoothly with the existing plant.
A race against time
This was no small task, and timing was crucial. Our Customer needed the boiler for the heating season, which gave us a limited window during the months with lower heat demand. The new equipment was engineered, procured, manufactured, and delivered to the site within seven months of the order being placed.
Once everything was ready, the old and new pressure parts were exchanged during one carefully coordinated crane lifting job. All major lifting work was completed in less than two weeks, and the full mechanical installation, including the new piping and ducting, took less than two months.
Finally, the upgraded boiler was commissioned in just two weeks. With a total downtime of less than three months, it was back online and generating heat before the start of the heating season, exactly as agreed with the Customer.
Ready for a new role
Today, the boiler no longer produces only hot water. It also generates superheated water for an installation that captures 5.5 tons per hour of carbon while continuing to provide hot water for the greenhouses. Additionally, it has changed from operating as a peak-load boiler for around six months/year to running as a base-load boiler all year round.
This project demonstrates that, when a Customer needs change, replacement is not always the answer. With the right engineering, careful planning and close cooperation, an existing VYNCKE boiler can be adapted to support new processes and keep delivering for years to come.
Want to know more about V.Care?
Visit the webpage here.
Want to know what an upgrade could do for your installation? Our V.CARE Vynckeneers are ready to find out together with you!
