A salmon-processing facility needed a reliable gas booster for a CHP system rated at 1 MW. Secomak selected a 535/9 in-line gas booster to deliver a pressure lift of 125 mbar at a gas flow rate of 246 m³/h.
- Application: Gas supply for a combined heat and power (CHP) system
- Industry: Salmon processing
- Booster: Secomak 535/9 in-line gas booster
- CHP capacity: 1 MW
- Pressure lift: 125 mbar
- Gas flow rate: 246 m³/h
Application and background
The facility processes farm-raised salmon in a demanding food-production environment. It operates 24 hours a day, with approximately 18 hours of production followed by a six-hour cleaning programme.
A new 1 MW CHP system was installed as part of an investment in the site’s energy infrastructure. CHP generates electricity while capturing useful heat from the process.
The available gas supply did not provide the pressure required by the CHP unit. A gas booster was therefore needed to provide a dependable supply at the required pressure and integrate with the existing gas infrastructure.
The gas booster requirement
The application required a pressure lift of 125 mbar at a gas flow rate of 246 m³/h. An interruption to the boosted gas supply could prevent the CHP system from operating and affect wider factory activities. The estimated cost of production downtime was approximately £100,000 per hour, making reliability and serviceability important considerations.
The booster also needed to suit the site’s continuous operating schedule, fit the existing pipework and remain accessible for inspection and maintenance. Replacement parts and technical assistance were considered as part of the ongoing support requirements.
Selecting the 535/9 in-line gas booster
Secomak selected a 535/9 in-line gas booster to provide the pressure increase required by the 1 MW CHP system. The packaged arrangement was chosen to support integration with the existing installation while allowing access for inspection and servicing.
The selection considered the available inlet pressure, required outlet pressure, maximum gas flow, CHP operating profile, production schedule, site pipework and future maintenance needs. Matching the booster to these operating conditions provided the pressure and flow required by the application without unnecessarily oversizing the equipment.
For more information about sizing and selecting a gas booster, see Secomak’s gas booster selection guide.
Performance and ongoing support
The installed 535/9 in-line gas booster provides the higher-pressure gas supply required by the CHP system, delivering a pressure lift of 125 mbar at 246 m³/h. The installation supports the CHP unit across the facility’s operating schedule.
The overall CHP installation is expected to provide a return on investment within four years. The booster’s role is to provide the gas pressure and flow needed for the CHP system to operate; the expected return relates to the overall CHP installation.
During a six-hour cleaning cycle, the facility uses approximately 300,000 litres of water. Because a disruption to site utilities could affect the wider production process, access to bearings, belts and other service items, along with technical guidance, supports planned maintenance and helps reduce the risk of an extended interruption.
Packaged in-line gas boosters for industrial applications
Packaged in-line gas boosters are used in industrial applications where gas pressure must be increased to meet equipment requirements. Selection depends on the available inlet pressure, required outlet pressure, flow rate and site operating conditions.
To discuss a gas-boosting application, contact Secomak’s team.
