Products in Action

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Forklift fleet makes the move to electric DBL Logistics made a decision to improve business performance while enhancing its green credentials by converting part of its forklift fleet from LPG to electric. Hoppecke Industrial Batteries helped the business to achieve this goal in partnership with CAM Fork Lift Trucks.

An analysis of fuel costs showed that DBL Logistics could save more than £15,000 over a five-year contract by switching some of its LPG gas trucks to electric.

To meet the family-owned transport company’s requirements Hoppecke worked closely with CAM Fork Lift Trucks to arrive at a cost-effective and ecologically sound solution. Five of the 80-volt TCM FBH25-FI fourwheel counterbalance trucks in use at DBL’s Sheffield warehouse have been fitted with Hoppecke’s 49.6kW Trak Uplift Air batteries. The materials handling solution also incorporates Hoppecke’s energyefficient TCHF Air chargers.

Gus Whyte, Hoppecke’s sales director-UK and Ireland, said: “A number of equipment suppliers focused on the provision of lithium battery-powered electric machines without carrying out any detailed analysis of the DBL Logistics operation. CAM Fork Lift Trucks took a different approach and called us in to examine actual power requirements and help develop a solution that capitalises on the latest innovations in vented lead-acid battery technology.”

Lewis Fox, sales manager at CAM Fork Lift Trucks, added: “For some applications a lithium battery solution is absolutely the correct call, yet for others it might not deliver the best combination of power availability and service life at a sensible price.”

The battery/charger solution developed by Hoppecke in partnership with CAM Fork Lift Trucks allows for programmed opportunity charging during busy days and peak requirements. In this way it guarantees to support the DBL Logistics operation, which includes pallet networking, general haulage and bespoke warehousing. ONLINE ENQUIRY 101

Floor standing boilers at Herts care home ELCO Heating Solutions has returned to Alban Manor care home in St Albans to upgrade its commercial heating plant with the latest floor-standing boiler technology.

The installation of two TRIGON L PLUS 170kW units was part of the complete refurbishment of the heating and hot water system at the Hertfordshire care home, which has dramatically reduced NOx emissions by 86 per cent, CO2 emissions by more than 28 per cent, and gas consumption by 26 per cent. The project involved the removal of three Regency boilers that had previously been installed under the MHS Boilers name. After two decades of reliable operation, they had reached the end of their lifecycles and had become inefficient to run. Farnborough-based heating contractors, Plant and Pipewerx Ltd (appointed by project managers Netheat), undertook the refurbishment of the care home’s heating systems. Commenting on the installation, Craig Cooper, contract manager, said: “By increasing individual boiler outputs, we’ve managed to reduce the total number of boilers in the plant room from three to two – which saves a bit more space.

Discussing further improvements to the system, Cooper continued: “At the moment, the boilers are working in cascade using an existing control system, but we’re liaising with ELCO so we can switch them to the built-in cascade manager, as well as add weather compensation to the system.”

Perfect humidity for plants and seeds

An obsolete desiccant dehumidifier has given way to a more energy-efficient solution at Floranova, a specialist in the breeding and supply of ornamental hybrid plants and open pollinated seeds.

For over 30 years a Munters MD300 dehumidifier controlled humidity in their most critical seed store. Creating the right environment is essential to prevent any germination or damage ahead of shipping and planting. “The biggest issue is humidity,” says Stuart Walpole, process manager at Floranova. With the MD300 now obsolete, Munters recommended and supplied its ML270 desiccant dehumidifier as the most suitable alternative. The temperature in this store is maintained to 12-15°C, with the ML270 maintaining relative humidity to 27-33 per cent. “Reliability is key,” adds Walpole. “We opted for a direct replacement and didn’t even consider using anyone else. This is our most critical storage area, and as such we need a system we can trust. The new system is far more energy efficient. It easily does exactly what it’s required to do, and it is exceptionally reliable.” ONLINE ENQUIRY 103

LED upgrade slashes costs for Kent school

West Borough Primary School in Maidstone, Kent, is set to save £6,300 a year following a £43,000 LED lighting upgrade financed by the SALIX SEELS Fund for Maintained Schools. The estimated carbon reduction is 17.76 tonnes of CO2/pa with a lifetime (20 years) carbon savings 444 tonnes.

Although much of the lighting has been upgraded, this had taken place some years ago and prior to LED being available. Indeed, there was still some strip lighting in the infant school and corridors were particularly poorly lit.

The SEELS programme is one of a number of Salix Finance programmes that provide Government funding to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions within the public sector.

This solution offered by Energys Group proposed the installation of a standard LED Lighting upgrade across entire school, including outdoor lights and upgrades to LED of all existing emergency lights & standalone units. The list of installed lighting types includes: IP Rated LED Batten Fixtures, LED Panels, LED Wall lights, LED Downlight, Outdoor IP65 LED Wall light, Flood lights and Emergency Lighting.

Energys Group advised that this work would be undertaken over a two to three week period. To minimise disruption to teaching schedules the work was undertaken during the 2019 summer holidays and was completed within two weeks. ONLINE ENQUIRY 104