Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability in Hydes Brewery

Hydes Brewery, an ancient family brewer, is dedicated to producing great beer and reducing inefficiency and environmental impact. As steam is central to brewing, from mashing and boiling the wort through to sterilisation and cleaning, possessing a reliable, efficient and sustainable source of steam is not merely a technical necessity. It is vital to the brewery's commitment to quality, value for money and reducing its environmental impact.

Why Hydes Switched

To attain these values, Hydes Brewery has just upgraded from a steam generator to a Fulton VSRT-60 vertical steam boiler. The switch was necessitated by the need to boost energy efficiency, minimize emissions and boost operational reliability, but all this without sacrificing accuracy and consistency required in the brewing sector.

How the VSRT-60 Delivers

Fulton VSRT-60 has been engineered to suit Hydes Brewery's specific site conditions with an 8:1 turndown ratio, ensuring optimum performance and fuel efficiency. Although the VSRT itself has a turndown ability of 10:1, the chosen configuration provides the ideal combination of output and demand for brewing purposes.

Confirming the significant improvement in energy efficiency, Hydes Brewery's Paul Jeffries states:

“We have meticulously calculated efficiency figures to ensure a true comparison based on hectolitres brewed and we’re delighted to see that the new steam raising system from Fulton has delivered a 29% reduction in gas consumption, a key factor in reducing both our operational costs and environmental footprint.”

Another major advancement is the 6% increase in combustion efficiency made possible by a 39% reduction in excess air levels.

Speaking on behalf of Fulton, UK & Export Sales Manager Dave Dolan says:

“Unlike the previous steam generator, which was over-aired, the VSRT-60 optimises combustion to yield enhanced energy performance. The impact of this improved combustion is not simply financial but also environmental, with the new VSRT achieving a 75% reduction in NOx emissions, lowering emissions to only 43mg/Nm³, significantly lower than the low emissions zone limit and far cleaner than the previous configuration.”

From a technical perspective alone, the Fulton VSRT-60 also offers improved efficiency over the retiring steam generator. Statistics reveal the aging unit rated at 628kW/900kg per hour, while the VSRT-60 provides 600kW/960kg per hour, a staggering 11% gain in efficiency. That means Hydes Brewery burns less fuel and produces more steam for each kilowatt-hour of energy input, offering more stable operation and greater long-term durability.

What This Means for the Brewery

This investment in the Fulton VSRT-60 is just one part of Hydes Brewery's long-term vision of brewing fantastic beer with minimal environmental impact. By saving fuel, decreasing emissions and maximising steam efficiency, the brewery is future-proofing its own operations in an ever-more sustainability-focused industry.

Summary

Steam is literally the lifeblood of brewing and with the new boiler in place, Hydes Brewery benefits from a cleaner, more efficient and reliable supply of steam. This is critical in guaranteeing accuracy and consistency necessary in producing quality beer. This investment assures Hydes will be able to continue to innovate, hone production and maintain its original founding ethos of quality and sustainability.

Contact for further details:
Carl Knight
Fulton Limited, Fernhurst Road, Bristol, BS5 7FG
Tel: 0117 972 3322 Fax: 0117 972 3358
E-mail: sales@fulton.co.uk Web: www.fulton.co.uk