Francis Brown Engineering Ltd

Francis Brown has fabricated the largest single item to emerge from its Teesside workshops during its 120-year history.

The 32-ton vertical firing chamber is phase 1 of a new environmentally friendly energy plant currently being designed, for installation at EGGER UK’s chipboard manufacturing plant in Hexham.

Central to the drying process, it will be predominantly powered by waste dust collected from the sanding process.

EGGER Hexham’s current 50Mw energy plant, commissioned in 2008, generates 35MW of hot gas to remove moisture from woodchips and 15Mw thermal oil heat transfer. It currently uses wood-based material unsuitable for chipboard production as a fuel.

The new vertical firing chamber will house a modern, efficient 25Mw burner, while thermal oil heat from the current energy plant will be incorporated into a new steam turbine plant heat transfer system, which is non-hazardous and environmentally friendly.

Francis Brown fabricated the vertical firing chamber at its Stockton-on-Tees facility to tight dimensional tolerances and the project was delivered on time and to budget. It was recently installed following the completion of foundation works.

Duncan Warriner, Managing Director of Francis Brown, said: “The fabrication of the 32-ton vertical firing chamber marks a historic milestone in our 120-year journey. As an independent company, it exemplifies our unwavering commitment to precision and innovation, and I’d like to thank the team for their expertise and attention to detail. Francis Brown is proud to play a part in EGGER UK’s vision to create a more sustainable future.

“This is also an example of the high calibre of projects we are securing, which is evident in our growing order book for 2024, which is also creating the opportunity to create new jobs across the business.”

Arthur F. Harvey, EGGER UK Specialist Project Engineer, said: “It was important to find a company with the expertise and large workshop, to enable the accurate manufacturing of the chamber. Working with Francis Brown’s project team was a great collaboration, and they proved to be a super team. This was a very large item, which had to be manufactured to small tolerances. Francis Brown’s team rose to the challenge and successfully delivered what we required, on plan and on budget.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF FRANCIS BROWN

For further information contact Andrew Douglas on 01325 363436

Photo caption:The vertical firing chamber being prepared for transportation

Editors’ Notes

Francis Brown

Francis Brown is recognised as a reliable, modern & professional operator in the supply of fabrication and engineering services to the Renewables(Offshore Wind & Tidal), Chemical, Oil and Gas, Defence, Nuclear, Mining and other Construction markets.

As well as the pressure vessel business unit It offers a complete design to installation service, within the structural plate fabrication and site installation/repair business units. It carries accreditation to BS EN 1090 for its structural work and ISO 3834 for welding control.

Founded in 1903, the company comprises a team of over 100 highly skilled industry experts, including world class platers, welders, machinists and engineers from its base in Stockton on Tees.

https://www.francisbrown.co.uk/

EGGER (UK) Ltd

With two chipboard manufacturing sites located in Hexham, Northumberland and Auchinleck, East Ayrshire, EGGER (UK) Ltd annually distributes enough wood-based products to fill over 33,000 lorry trailers. These products are supplied to businesses across the UK and Ireland, who operate in the furniture, interior design and building markets. EGGER (UK) Ltd undertakes ongoing multi-million-pound investments to ensure it operates some of the most technologically advanced chipboard plants in the world.

The company has an 800 strong team with EGGER Hexham being the largest manufacturing employer in Northumberland and EGGER Barony one of East Ayrshire’s largest manufacturing employers. It employs a highly sustainable closed loop production process. This includes operations by its subsidiary companies, EGGER Forestry Ltd, Campact Ltd and Timberpak Ltd.

https://www.egger.com/en/about-us/egger-uk?country=GB