Batch plant
Engineering solutions for the future EME explain how offering a complete range of services has allowed it to be part of the Glass Futures facility design.
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� Pic 1. Unique process flow diagram. full flexibility while at the same time integrating the latest technology and best technical solutions. In addition to the technology selection, EME engaged with other key stakeholders from the Glass Futures team. These stakeholders provided input into critical aspect of the design, such as health and safety, structural integration into the main building, utility interfaces as well as day to day operational aspects. “It is important for Glass Futures to get the design right and include a much greater level of operational flexibility than you would expect in a commercial glass manufacturing batch plant where the expected limits of operation are clearly defined. This has been a significant challenge for Glass Futures and EME throughout this collaboration”, said Peter Liggett, Capital Projects Manager of Glass Futures. The EME team was presented with an abundance of data and challenges to overcome. To bring all this together in a
meaningful way, that was easy for the customer to work with while still having complete technical details, EME has developed a unique process flow diagram. The flow diagram is designed in such a way that it provides a graphical representation of the technology and process of the batch house. One of the biggest challenges for both Glass Futures and EME was that our design had to allow for the most flexibility possible. This is because St Helens is a state-ofthe-art research and development facility, therefore it is logically impossible to define exactly all the raw materials and recipes from the start. Understanding this, EME developed a solution that allows for a variety of materials to be used flexibly within the plant. Raw material handling and unloading operations are to be carried out using a variety of innovative methods. A wide Continued>>
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n this modern day and age customers are looking for a partner that can offer them a complete range of engineering services. EME provides everything its customers need, ranging from Feasibility Studies through to fully Engineered Projects. 100 years of experience combined with a passionate and expert team of engineers and specialists allows the company to deliver Innovative Engineering Solutions in line with customers’ requirements. EME says it is proud to be able to say that not-for-profit, research and technology organisation, Glass Futures is one such customer that needed an innovative and flexible engineering solution for their new Global Centre for Excellence in St Helens, UK. It believes that one of the most important aspects of developing a solution for a customer is to listen carefully to their needs and allow them to convey the vision they have for their project. During the bid phase for the Batch House Specification contract, EME actively engaged with the Glass Futures’ team to understand the end goal of the project as well as the objectives for the first phase, the development of a Detailed Specification and Design for the Batch Plant. As a result of this it was able to offer our services to Glass Futures at a competitive price without any compromise! In the early stages of the project, EME spent many hours in discussions with the expert team that Glass Futures had put together to fully identify their needs. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic EME and Glass Futures had to make use of online meetings, sharing ideas and concepts remotely, to fine tune all the details. A clear goal from the onset was to provide a solution that provided
27 Glass International June 2021
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