Spirotech, a degree better for the University of Buckingham
Project: The University of Buckingham | Place: Buckingham (United Kingdom)
When the University of Buckingham decided to upgrade the heating systems that serve its many teaching and residential blocks it turned to Spirotech deaeration and dirt separation equipment as the fluid conditioning solution.
Founded in 1976, Buckingham is an independent university whose estate stretches across two main campuses and more than four centuries. In all there are some 58 buildings, all requiring effective and efficient commercial or domestic heating systems powered by more than 120 boilers.
Together they meet the lifestyle needs of more than 3,000 students, of whom over 500 are in student accommodation, studying in Schools of Business, Dentistry, Education, Humanities and Social Science, Law, Science and Medicine.
Karl Andrew, a Director of contractor Andrew Pipework Services, said: “Some of the old plant had been installed for up to 30 years. It was inefficient, some of the boilers were becoming obsolete.”
Karl Andrew, a Director of contractor Andrew Pipework Services, said: “Some of the old plant had been installed for up to 30 years. It was inefficient, some of the boilers were becoming obsolete.”
The university put a major refurbishment programme in place, re-specifying and replacing seven plant rooms, with investment continuing on regular maintenance and further upgrades.
Karl said: “We installed new energy efficient boilers and pumps, backed up by Spirotech deaeration and dirt separation equipment to make sure the systems work better and more effectively.
“It’s important to expel the air from the system because where there’s air it creates corrosion and the pumps have to work harder, they can’t circulate the water as easily, using more energy.
“The corrosion creates more air and more corrosion in the form of magnetite and that will also result in poor system flow and cold spots in your radiators.
“If you are continually having to vent your heating system and radiators because of air it’s not good for the system or its longevity.”
Karl used multiple SpiroTop automatic air vents plus two SpiroCross AX and nine of the 4-inch version.
“Mental well-being and happiness are incredibly important to us here in the University of Buckingham so it’s essential we maintain a comfortable environment for the teaching and learning to take place.
Karl added: “Using a SpiroCross means we don’t have to make up a low loss header, as the SpiroCross acts as that. It’s three parts already fitted together as one, a deaerator, dirt separator and hydraulic balancing.”
The university’s picturesque Hunter Street and Chandos Road site sits around a tranquil U-shaped bend in the River Ouse and its eclectic mix of buildings range from the newly-built Vinson Centre for Economics and Entrepreneurship to the 17th century Tanlaw Mill, now home to the students’ union.
Just under a mile away is Verney Park, which includes a former Franciscan friary that has been converted into residences, a library, language laboratories and tutorial and lecture rooms.
“But as well as that comfortable environment, if our systems are working efficiently then we can reduce our running costs, and their longevity means we don’t need to replace them so often. This will also benefit us with our carbon footprint, in line with our carbon policy.”
Meet the new SpiroCross
Spirotech introduces the SpiroCross XC-M - the next generation of hydraulic balancers combined with deaerators & dirt separators with unique magnetic field amplification technology.