Essar Oil UK have taken delivery of a hydrogen-powered furnace; not only a first for the UK, but also one of the largest objects ever transported on UK roads.
The furnace spent weeks at sea between its birthplace in Thailand, and Liverpool Port. From there, it was transported down the M53 and A5117 to Stanlow Refinery, necessitating major road closures en route as the furnace travelled at speeds of around 4mph.
When fully operational next year, the furnace will improve energy efficiency at Stanlow to the extent that it will replace three existing furnaces.
Deepak Maheshwari, chief executive at Essar Oil UK, said: “After years of planning and months of transportation, we are delighted to take delivery of our new, state-of-the-art hydrogen furnace. We are grateful to the many organisations, including National Highways and Cheshire Police, who helped ensure the safe arrival of such a large and complex item.
“The new furnace is the first of its kind at any refinery in the UK and demonstrates clearly Essar’s long term commitment towards decarbonising our operations and helping lead the UK’s low carbon transition.”
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