Project Description

B&Q’s Northern Distribution Centre in the UK is an 865,000 square foot building built on a 87 acre site which has achieved a top level BREEAM building rating.

Biomass Silo Systems designed and installed the silo and fuel loading system to feed the biomass boiler which provides heat and hot water to the offices, canteen and air handling units.

The boiler was specially designed to run off waste wood which is generated by shredding pallets on site that previously would have gone to landfill.

The shredded material was then transported via a conveyor into our loading auger which in turn transported the fuel into the silo.

The 90m3 capacity silo was also fitted with fill and vent pipework to allow for blown deliveries of standard wood chip during times when the heat demand outstripped the availability of shredded timber.

ATEX explosion protection panels were fitted on the roof and and an access door in the bottom of the silo to allow for regular cleaning and maintenance

The system worked so well for the customer that we replicated it at B&Q’s second major UK distribution centre in Swindon a number of months later.