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Goodbye to the Boiler House Chimney

Originally published 29 September 2003


Standing 100 feet high with a diameter of 6.6 feet the Boiler House chimney has been a part of the University skyline since it was erected in 1970, replacing the two original steel flues. Its creation coincided with the installation of a third dual fuel boiler designed to burn either oil or gas as required, and due to the high carbon and sulphur dioxide content of oil smoke a high flue was necessary for dissipating the emissions.

Now, with the installation of a 2.8 electrical megawatts gas fired Combined Heat and Power plant forming the heart of the new energy centre, the decision has been made to go the extra mile and convert the gas supply from interruptible to firm, obviating the need to keep an oil reserve. Since the emissions from gas, whether burnt in a boiler or a CHP engine are much cleaner than oil, a high chimney is no longer necessary and the pre-cast concrete flue has been replaced by low profile stainless steel flues for the CHP units and remaining boilers. Work started on dismantling the chimney on the 18th August and is expected to finish by the end of this week.

£500,000 Funding for Energy Saving Project   News Story     9 June 2003