Critical power specialist, Powertecnique, has been selected to supply backup power to the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester.
Work on the new UK home of research into the world’s thinnest, strongest and most conductive material is due to be completed in early 2015. The Institute provides the opportunity for researchers and industry professionals to work together on a huge variety of potential applications.
Powertecnique has supplied a rooftop standby diesel generator powered by MTU engine and 2,000 litre fuel tank with double skinned pipework which is fully leak protected. Managing director of Powertecnique, Darren Pearce, explained: “The equipment supports mains failure so that if there is a disruption to mains power in any way, the generator can start up and power the essential supplies. This generator in particular is employed to keep the ventilation systems to the building going, in order to maintain the controlled environments in the laboratories and clean rooms.”
Powertecnique’s ground-level fuel tank pumps fuel to the generator through a discrete line with double skinned pipework and an intervening wall. It is constantly monitored so if there is any breach from the outside or inside the fuel line, it can be immediately detected and shut down to prevent damage to the generator or connected equipment.
Pearce continued, “There are thousands of metres of pipework running through this building so we had to ensure that we found the best route through for the fuel to reach the generator, while not disturbing the other pipework. Our engineers worked alongside the client and team on site to tailor a solution and find a suitable route for the pipework to take.”
The National Graphene Institute is expected to open early 2015.
