Astore keeps its cool for National Grid
A range of Astore PVC-U pipe and fittings has been installed as part of a major refurbishment of a National Grid cooling system throughout London.
National Grid has tasked Ponsford Engineering with updating 12 of its cooling stations throughout the South and South East of London cable network. Cooling stations exist along the cable route to reduce the thermal energy dissipated into the atmosphere from the 275,000 volts of electricity being passed through oil filled cables laid underground.
To keep the cables cool, a closed loop cooling system has been installed, which sees deionised water pumped from the cooling station around the pipework loop, extracting the heat omitted from the electrical cables.
Originally installed in the 60s, the existing steel pipework within the cooling stations was nearing the end of its working life and a new reliable replacement was needed. As a result, Ponsford Engineering has specified Astore PVC-U pipework to be installed in the basement of the cooling stations to feed the cooling system.
Specified due to its corrosion and limescale resistant properties, Astore PVC-U offers a reliable solution that ensures minimal maintenance and replacement work will be required.
Commenting on the installation, Tony Ponsford from Ponsford Engineering said: “It is vital that the cooling system operates effectively to avoid the cables overheating, so we needed a reliable pipework system that could continually feed water into the system at a consistent flow rate.
“Astore PVC-U offered the perfect solution as its smooth bore ensures there will be no build up in the pipe that will restrict water flow to the system. The simple jointing technique of the system also aided in the installation process, offering significant cost savings.”
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