Industrial Cleaning Case Study:
Glass Regenerative Furnace Chamber Cleaning
Ardagh Glass, Irvine
Organisation Profile
Ardagh Group are a global supplier in sustainable packaging solutions. Our team at Kingfisher have serviced several UK Ardagh Glass sites since 2006, and we are very proud of our long term working relationship with several of their sites across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Scotland.
The Issues
Ardagh Glass, Irvine faced a build up of particulate in their regenerative furnace chamber beneath their manufacturing furnaces. This build-up needed to be removed, however our operatives could only access the chamber under strict conditions owing to the proximity to the furnace and the extreme temperatures.
When facing work of this nature, it is imperative to partner with a trained, professional and Health and Safety conscious industrial cleaning team to ensure safety and efficacy.
Objectives
Ash Removal
The continuous operation of a regenerative furnace causes a significant build up of ash and other impurities in the chamber beneath the furnace. If the chamber is not cleaned for a period of time, tonnes of ash can accumulate.
Ash removal methods and techniques can either involve the use of specialised vacuum suction equipment, or manual labour to physically remove debris. Our goal was to remove the tonnes of ash build-up in the most efficient and safe manner possible.
Prioritising Health and Safety
Regenerative furnace cleaning is a challenging task due to the high temperatures and the presence of potentially hazardous materials. Safety measures are essential to reduce the risk as much as possible. The precise shutdown times of the chamber also mean that our operative team can only work for specific intervals. Manual cleaning allows our operatives to exit the chamber quickly before the temperatures rise to unsafe levels.
Results Delivered
Effective Ash Removal
Our team successfully removed tons of accumulation build-up in a safe and efficient manner. The team worked according to strict shutdown intervals which meant that the furnace could carry on working as normal and so did not disrupt operations.
Ensuring Efficiency and Longevity
Regenerative furnace chamber cleaning can improve the efficiency of the furnace and extend its lifespan, by removing the build up of harmful deposits which can cause corrosion and damage. Maintaining optimal operating conditions can contribute to the quality of a manufacturer’s glass products and ensure best industry practises.
