Case Study - Helmsley Open Air Pool
Helmsley Open Air Pool is operated by a registered charity – the Feversham Memorial Trust – and opens from June to September each summer. The 1930s pool is 25m in length and 10m wide. The existing heating system comprised an oil boiler working in tandem with an electric heat exchanger. During the 2007 season the oil boiler broke down and was in need of replacement.
To keep the pool running during 2008, LandEnergy installed a biomass boiler.
Boiler System
The biomass boiler on loan is a Benekov PL30 which runs on wood pellets and is housed in its own self contained unit complete with pellet hopper. The unit has been linked to the existing system to replace the existing oil boiler. The boiler is run on wood pellet fuel at 100% capacity to complement the heat exchanger.
Fuel storage and handling
The pellet hopper can hold a capacity of up to one tonne of wood pellets which are fed from the hopper into the boiler through an auger system.
Fuel Supply
The boiler uses 11 tonnes of wood pellets over a 12 week period during the summer, supplied and delivered by LandEnergy.
Installation
The system was supplied and installed by LandEnergy in June 2008. The installation was completed within a day.
Cost Savings
The boiler was a direct replacement for an inefficient oil system. The boiler equipment was supplied free of charge by LandEnergy to support the local community. The savings in running costs of burning pellets are 47% in comparison with heating oil at 60p per litre.
Technical summary
- Boiler : Benekov PL30
- Power rating : 27 kW
- Energy efficiency : 90%
- Fuel type : wood pellets
- Fuel storage : self contained unit incorporating a boiler and hopper linked by an auger feed system
Summary of benefits
The loan of the Benekov boiler is saving fuel costs for the Feversham Memorial Trust and is helping to keep the open air pool open while funds are being raised for a major refurbishment of the swimming pool and neighbouring sports complex.