Furnace project completed by Edwards Engineering

摘要

Edwards Engineering has successfully completed a ￡4.5 million project with Superglass Insulation to install a new furnace building at the Stirling-based site - doubling the annual production capacity of glass wool. The 18-month project, called New Horizon, saw Perth-based Edwards Engineering take on the challenge of installing the new 187-tonne furnace over the top of an existing building whilst it was still in use. Designed by Architects Space and engineered by CRA Consulting Engineers, the upper part of the furnace was modelled and detailed using Edwards Engineering's 3D modelling system. Edwards also manufactured and installed a large 4m-wide bridge-type walkway, high-capacity wedge-shaped batch silos, insulated ducting and numerous access stairs and platforms. Edwards Engineering MD Sandy Kirk says: "This was one of the bigger projects of this kind we have worked on and was challenging both from an engineering and programming perspective. For example, the cladding used was 175 mm thick, rated for two-hour fire protection and had to be installed using specialist machinery and cranes. That meant additional plant and resources were required to maintain the very tight programme. "As we have our own drawing office and extensive fabrication facilities, we were able to manufacture the elements required at our Perth base and we also acted as the design drawing office for Superglass, providing timely solutions to any issues discovered during the modelling and detailing phase of the work." Glass wool insulation produced by Superglass is made from up to 84% recycled glass products from post-consumer waste. Mark Atherton, chief production officer at Superglass, adds: "The completion of this project will take Superglass beyond environmental compliance, while allowing the plant to double its output within two years."