Project Updates

Belhaven Brewery, Scotland’s oldest working brewery, has appointed James Ramsay to provide a turnkey solution to upgrade its industrial boiler system at the Dunbar site in East Lothian.

The project included replacing the existing aged boiler with the installation of a new Dunphy burner and associated improved controls. We also fabricated and installed a new hotwell tank and frame onsite, complete with a new steam injection kit, water treatment works, and a bespoke level control system. 

The facility will now benefit from a more efficient boiler which in turn will reduce the site’s carbon footprint and fuel costs. 

To support business continuity throughout the upgrade, we provided a temporary backup service connection to ensure the site could continue to operate during the necessary downtime required to facilitate the improvement works. 

Marc Millar, Steam & Technical Project Manager at James Ramsay, said: “We’re proud to be the trusted partner for some of Scotland’s most well-established brands.

“This particular project relies on our expert knowledge of handling and coordinating shutdowns across steam systems to ensure the work is carried out as smoothly as possible, with the least disruption to our client’s business possible.

“Our team’s experience and technical expertise enabled the safe and efficient delivery of this project, and we look forward to continuing to support Belhaven at this fascinating and iconic location.”

Belhaven Brewery is a historic and award-winning Scottish brewery, producing Belhaven BEST, Belhaven Black and other craft beers and ales. Established in 1719, it operates Scotland’s oldest working brewery nestled amongst the rolling barley fields of East Lothian.

Working with our partners at DTGen, we supported the installation of two new 2MVA containerised generators at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, northeast Scotland, adding to the 1.5MVA genset already installed by DTGen to provide the base with full backup and contingency power for the future.

The generators are supported by two 90,000 ltr fuel tanks, and have their own NERS and an enhanced control package consisting of six ComAp controllers operating on a fibre network controlling both the primary and standby switchboard.

The generators synchronise together and will react depending on load demand, synchronising to mains when grid power returns.

James Ramsay was approached by DTGen to supply a bunded oil pipework solution for its fuel delivery pipework from the fuel storage tanks to generators.

We fabricated a bunded supply by welding internal fittings and pipework and then surrounded this pipework with larger bore welded tube. We installed the new pipework on a new support system and the completed installation was tested on site and finished with two coats of paint for protection and identification.

Marc Millar, Steam & Technical Project Manager at James Ramsay, said: “We’re proud to be able to support such critical infrastructure projects thanks to our experience and track record in delivering bespoke, high-quality installations, to the highest standards.”

First opened in May 1939, Lossiemouth is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations that protect UK airspace. The team includes four typhoon combat aircraft squadrons, one Poseidon MRA1 squadron, and an RAF regiment squadron. The personnel and aircraft here also support operations worldwide and host numerous national and international exercises.

Just because school’s out for summer, doesn’t mean the work stops for our project team. In fact, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to clear the decks, and we’re busier than ever supporting our FM clients to deliver essential maintenance work at school boiler houses while campuses are quiet.

For three of the large FM companies, that trust us to deliver quality projects on time, we are currently delivering a range of summer transformations at eleven schools throughout Stirlingshire, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, including complete new plant rooms, essential maintenance on existing infrastructure, and upgrades to meet energy efficiency requirements.

It’s a huge logistical effort to ensure work is completed on time. So, we’re calling on the excellent project management skills and breadth of experience in our engineering team and pleased to be getting our sleeves rolled up to deliver!

To find out more about our maintenance service, visit http://jamesramsayltd.co.uk/services/commercial-and-industrial-burner-and-boiler-maintenance/

When our company was founded more than 100 years ago, our core business was steam. Today, we’re still heavily involved in the steam sector – carrying out new boiler installations, insurance inspections, pipework installations and boiler repairs, and you might be surprised to hear that the way steam is raised has not changed much at all. We use heat from a fuel source, such as oil, gas, biomass, waste heat or nuclear, to heat water and produce steam. The principle is exactly the same now as it was 100 years ago.

So, against the backdrop of diverse new fuel sources and innovative technology in the HVAC sector, we’re still going strong in steam.

Most recently, we’re pleased to report winning several new steam work contracts with end users, including new steam and condensate pipework to support the expansion of a large commercial laundry, the installation of pipework for a new press machine in a textiles business, on-going upgrades and compliance work to support the existing steam infrastructure at a life sciences facility, as well as the installation of metering equipment at a world-famous distillery.

We have decades of experience working with steam and our qualified steam specialist’s offer a range of services including the repair, supply, installation and re-tubing of steam boilers; steam pipework installation, repairs and modification; and steam system surveys.

The full strip down inspection of steam boilers and systems is a statutory legal requirement, and we’re well known and respected by most of the major insurance companies for this type of work. As a result, we also undertake recommended repairs, refurbishment and replacement of system components as instructed by the assessor.

To discuss your requirements, contact sales@jamesramsayltd.co.uk or call the office on 0141 774 2602, and we’d be delighted to help.

We’ve been busy in the workshop supporting Cochran fit out its temporary boiler hire fleet with this range of trailer installations.

David Weild, Industrial Boiler Business Manager at Cochran, said: “As part of our hire boiler investment programme, we turned to James Ramsay knowing the high standard of workmanship, impeccable professionalism and work ethic. Ramsay’s produce a first-class job time after time, and the speedy turnaround of excellent quality work is building a solid basis for future ventures.”   

This latest project for Cochran supports the delivery of its flexible, short and long-term boiler hire service – a critical resource for clients whose existing equipment is undergoing essential repair and maintenance work, or whilst awaiting the arrival of new capital equipment. These trailer-mounted and containerised solutions offer a cost-effective remedy for many different applications.

With our expertise in boiler installation, industrial boiler and burner maintenance and pipework, and specialist fabrication team, we love a challenge like this, and it’s great to see the fleet taking shape and hitting the road. 

We’ve been appointed by global life sciences firm, Thermo Fisher Scientific, to install two new Dunphy gas fired burners at its Inchinnan facility, near Glasgow, where it uses novel technology to make products for drugs which treat flu and other diseases.

In a drive to improve efficiency, the new equipment replaces older, out-dated systems with an upgraded solution that will reduce fuel consumption by five percent.

Gary Shepherd, managing director at James Ramsay, said: “A high demand site requires a high-performance burner to optimise operating efficiency. This new equipment has the potential to save five percent on fuel, and the digital combustion management system ensures accurate control and maximises combustion efficiency across the turndown range.

“We’re increasingly working with customers on measures to improve sustainability, and with environmental targets at the forefront, this is a great example of a pro-active approach to delivering really meaningful results and long-term cost savings.”

We’ll be managing the full CDM package as well as providing all the man-power, plant and material to execute the project from start to finish, including supply of the new Dunphy TG4.550MESC burners.

The project is now up and running with the installation of a new permanent steam and condensate pipe set up, including a fully engineered solution for expansion and trapping to allow the connection of a temporary steam boiler that will assist with the site load while each individual burner is replaced. Once the temporary set up is proven and made operational, the team will isolate the existing boilers, disconnect from the gas and electricity supplies, and remove, as well as removing the existing, out-dated burner control panel.

The existing boiler will then be modified to accept the new burner equipment. The new burners will be mounted and new burner control panels fitted, and installed with interconnecting wiring between the panel and burners.

James Ramsay, alongside trusted supply partner Dunphy Combustion, will carry out commissioning of the new burner in full load conditions, and conduct a full safety function check in conjunction with the site engineer and insurance inspector.

The new Dunphy TG series is hydrogen-ready and comes with a Ratiotronic 6000 digital combustion control system, Axial air flow forced draught fan, 10:1 turndown of modulation range, high-integrity self-checking photocell for 24/7 operation, and DN125 gas train for low pressure drop, so no booster is required.

Ewan McRory, Site Expansion Project Engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “James Ramsay was selected following a competitive bid process. Progress to date has been to programme, a quality installation from all involved.”

Queens Quay is Clydebank’s new business and living quarter. A £250m development located on the former John Brown shipyard, it has transformed the site into a vibrant waterside community just a few minutes-walk from town with open access and views to the riverside.

The 23-hectare site includes a diverse range of housing, health and leisure facilities, office, bar, restaurant and retail elements, and civic spaces such as parkland, riverside walkway and cycle path.

The entire development is served by a new district heating system – Scotland’s first major water source heat pump district heating network. The system extracts heat from the river Clyde and distributes this throughout residential areas and the wider Clydebank community, making it the greenest town in Scotland.

Owned, operated and maintained by West Dunbartonshire Council, the entire heating system, ensures security of supply and reduced tariffs for customers.

The district heating network is operated through an energy centre where the water source heat pumps extract 3°C of heat from the river Clyde. The river water passes through a series of filters before being pumped up to the heat pumps in the energy centre. The heat harnessed from the river is then converted into usable heat via the refrigeration process and is then transported by district heating pipes at circa 75°C to homes, businesses and other public buildings, to provide heating and hot water without the need for gas fired appliances. The primary water is then discharged back into the river.

As part of this project, we worked with our customer, Vital Energi, to design and install a very specialist and completely bespoke, maintainable, water extraction system consisting of a filter, DN350 pipework and frame, to extract the water from the Clyde.

Fabricated at our Glasgow manufacturing facility from super duplex stainless steel using a specifically developed weld procedure, it was essential that this pipework and filter could be regularly disconnected and removed using the frame as a slide guide to remove it from its location on the quayside for cleaning. To ensure ease of use, a set of sliding rails were attached to the frame so it could easily be maintained.

This was no mean feat. As well as calling upon the design and technical expertise within our in-house team, we deployed a team of professional divers to install the underwater elements of the frame and slide rails.

Gary Shepherd, managing director at James Ramsay, said: “We’re really proud to be involved in this ground-breaking project which really showcases our range of traditional skills in the most modern application of heating and pipework technology today.”

The rollout of the district heating network at Queens Quay continues and we’re currently back onsite (February 2023) installing connections to a number of public buildings including Clydebank library and the townhall.

We’ve been appointed to support the installation of the world’s first green hydrogen-powered distillery at Arbikie Highland Estate, Lunan Bay, Montrose.

As work for James Ramsay begins on site next week, the team is set to install a new Byworth hydrogen ready boiler that will run alongside the site’s existing oil-fired steam boiler.

Working on behalf of Locogen, which is project managing the green hydrogen distillery project and providing all the expertise, services and support for the distillery to ensure the new system is compliant and meets the environmental challenges ahead, our team of engineers and welders will install the new boiler while the distillery continues to operate, ensuring minimum disruption to the day-to-day business operations.

Gary Shepherd, managing director at James Ramsay, said: “We’ve been involved in many ground-breaking projects throughout the years, so as commercial and industrial operations look to lower their carbon emissions in line with net zero targets, we’re increasingly supporting the installation of new renewable technology as well as fuel switching strategies to help overcome the challenges they face on the journey.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of this innovative application of green hydrogen to support the decarbonisation of Scotland’s vitally important distilling sector.”

Many globally recognised distilleries are dotted around Scotland’s most remote locations – both on the mainland and surrounding islands – the majority are off the mains gas grid network and therefore using fossil fuel oils to generate the necessary heat for production processes. Hydrogen potentially offers a very compelling alternative fuel for producing the high-grade heat required, and there is great scope for applying this technology in the wider industry.

The Climate Change Bill commits Scotland to a target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045 and this places a huge responsibility on Scottish companies, particularly those that burn fossil fuels as part of their operation, to think about how they will run their businesses while satisfying their climate change obligations.  

At Arbikie, the green hydrogen for the new boiler will be supplied from a 1 MW wind turbine located on its Lunan Bay farm. An electrolyser will be used to convert the renewable energy supplied by the wind turbine into hydrogen to then be used in the distillery.

Passed from generation to generation, Arbikie Highland Estate, has been farmed and managed with absolute respect for the land. The addition of a distillery reinforced this ethos and re-energised its commitment to minimising environmental impact. The word ‘sustainable’ is not just a badge for Arbikie, it is the very essence of its field to bottle operation, and at the heart of the farming practices and distillery craft. For every decision made, the team considers the environmental impact and how they can do things better.

John Stirling, Arbikie Distillery, said: “Our ethos at Arbikie from our inception has been to try and create world-class premium spirits where all ingredients are grown on our single estate farm. Minimising our carbon footprint and working with the wonderful home-grown ingredients to create one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.

“Our mission is to set new standards in the industry with the aim to be one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries. We have already become global leaders with the creation of the world’s first climate positive spirits, Nàdar Gin and Vodka.”

Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery is a family-owned business that combines running a farm alongside the rigors of operating a modern distillery. Find out more at https://arbikie.com/

Tobermory Distillery is the Isle of Mull’s only whisky distillery. Founded in 1798, and today owned by Distell International Ltd., a subsidiary of the South African Distell Group, Tobermory produces award-winning Hebridean gin and single malt whiskies.

James Ramsay was selected to deliver the boiler upgrade for Tobermory based on our strong, longstanding relationship with Distell International having installed new steam boilers at both Deanston (Doune) and Bunnahabhain (Islay) distilleries during the past 20 years, as well as providing on-going repair and maintenance services.

Due to the remote island location, this project came with many logistical challenges – transporting equipment, crane breakdowns, ferries, supply chain problems, accommodation issues…as well as the good, old Scottish weather!

Despite the adversity, the project was delivered on time and on budget.

The old boiler was replaced with a larger, more resilient oil-fired Cochran ST36 6000kg/hr boiler, along with associated infrastructure including a hot well tank and support frame which we manufactured offsite at our Glasgow facility, then shipped to Tobermory.  

The engineering work involved a really good understanding of the project requirements and strong attention to detail to ensure the equipment that was manufactured offsite was going to fit on arrival at the distillery.

Angus Colquhoun, Technical and Compliance Manager at Distell International, said: “James Ramsay was Cochran’s installation partner of choice for this project, which we were very pleased with, due to the long-standing relationship between our companies.  From the first site visit to completion of commissioning, James Ramsay delivered a first class, professional service.”

When it comes to distillery work, we know our stuff. Throughout the years, James Ramsay has delivered new installations, upgrades, repairs and maintenance on a wide range of steam boilers and associated infrastructure. Alongside Cochran, we’ve installed new steam boilers on Harris and another two on Islay in the last five years alone which further demonstrates our track record with delivering these technical installations on the remote islands, supporting the Scottish distillery sector.  

Gary Shepherd. Managing Director at James Ramsay, said: “With more than 100 years of experience in steam installations, we’re well placed to offer our clients the security of an experienced team of engineers and managers who will deliver a quality installation.

“To maintain manufacturing continuity, we’re often required to complete these projects in a live operating environment – connecting to existing pipework, tanks and vessels while the distillery operates on a standby boiler. We’re well practiced at delivering this as a full turnkey package to offer a practical solution that ensures business as usual.”

To find out more our services to support distilleries and other manufacturing facilities, please visit: https://jamesramsayltd.co.uk/services/

Since 1865, the Speyside-based Glenfarclas Distillery has been owned and managed by five generations of the Grant family, producing single malt Scotch whisky from the remote Ballindalloch estate for the last 160 years.

Cochran UK, the global specialist in manufacturing and supplying industrial steam and hot water boilers, was called in to replace a 30-year-old boiler at the distillery, and selected James Ramsay as the trusted delivery partner due to our technical expertise and experience in the sector.

The turnkey project was delivered in a four-week timeframe as part of a distillery shutdown so time management and project scheduling were of utmost importance to ensure the distillery was back up and running to full production capacity as soon as possible.

Cochran supplied a bespoke ST95 boiler that uses waste heat from the distillery stills, which are heated directly with gas burners. The heat generated from burning gas passes through the underside of the still and then rises through a chimney to the atmosphere. Utilising this type of boiler means we can divert the waste heat through ductwork and raise steam to be used elsewhere in the distillery – making a significant saving on fossil fuel and the cost of the gas or oil that would normally be used for this task.

Callum Fraser, Production Manager at Glenfarclas Distillery, said: “The teams from both James Ramsay and Cochran who carried out the installation of the new boiler at Glenfarlcas were outstanding from the first to the last day. I look forward to continuing the working relationship in the future.” 

The team at James Ramsay was responsible for disconnecting and removing the existing, aged, boiler equipment at Glenfarclas, then completing the full engineering works to build up the floor level for the new boiler, new pipework and full installation of the Cochran boiler including a variety of alterations to ensure the bespoke solution was successfully commissioned.  

Gary Shepherd, Managing Director at James Ramsay, said: “We’re delighted to continue working with Cochran on a variety of client installations throughout the country, and this project really demonstrated our joined-up approach to solve challenges, meet tight timescales and go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction for the safe delivery of projects.”

To find out more about our services to support distilleries and other manufacturing facilities, please visit: https://jamesramsayltd.co.uk/services/