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Forbes are delighted to have been chosen to assist in the fabrication of a unique patented hydropower technology; the Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT), developed by VerdErg Renewable Energy.
The first VETT unit commissioned has been installed on the site of a former mill, built in 1847, now converted into a public house and restaurant. The VETT utilises a pipe section (fabricated by Forbes) through which water passes, this pipe section incorporates a venturi which amplifies the flow to drive a high speed turbine and generator.
The new low-head hydro technology– Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT)
- VETT is a technology developed and patented by VerdErg.
- It utilises Bernoulli’s 18th century principles to amplify a pressure across a turbine.
- 80% of the water passes through a venturi (constriction) with no moving parts, which causes the pressure in the venturi to drop.
- A second flow path, which contains a conventional axial propeller turbine, connects this low pressure area with the higher upstream pressure.
- The pressure across the turbine is now significantly higher.
- The turbine in a VETT therefore operates under a higher head but at a fifth of the flow, allowing costs to be reduced and sites like this to be reinstated.
- Fish can pass through the venturi unharmed. The turbine intake is screened.
Key Data
- Head: 1.40 m
- Design Flow: 4.0 m3/s
- Installed capacity: 30 kW
- Estimated energy output: 100 MWh
- Energy equivalent: Avg. consumption of 40 households
- CO2 savings: 61 t
Illustration of VETT installed at The River Mill, Eaton Socon.
The whole VETT assembly is lowered into the river, with decking above to minimise visual impact, also providing extra outdoor seating for the pub.
The pipe section at approximately 2.4m diameter and 18m in length, is of dual laminate construction with an internal surface of Polypropylene material reinforced externally with GRP laminate.
Why choose Polypropylene/GRP construction over alternatives?
The main design considerations for the design of ducts were for a hydraulically smooth internal surface finish, resistance to corrosion, cost effectiveness and to have the strength required to resist both internal and external pressures.
Traditionally, VerdErg has manufactured smaller ducts in stainless steel, but with the scale of these units being so much greater than previous designs cost and manufacturability became an issue.
The Polypropylene/GRP construction offered two immediate advantages over steel. The Polypropylene offered a hydraulically smooth internal surface finish and the GRP offered resistance to corrosion. Designing in GRP offered flexibility with regards to the strength, manufacturability and ultimately the cost of the ducts. The final design of the GRP ducts was significantly lighter than the equivalent design in steel, aiding the final installation on site.
In the long-term, the GRP ducts will require fewer inspections and less maintenance than had they been designed in steel, reducing the projects ongoing O&M costs.
In hindsight, investing time in moving away from a stainless steel to a Polypropylene/GRP construction was the correct choice for the project.
Why Forbes?
VerdErg kindly advised –
“The design and manufacture of these ducts in GRP is a world’s first. An extensive search was undertaken to find companies in the UK that were capable of manufacturing on the scale and quality required. From first contact, Forbes showed that they were willing, able and had the facilities to take on this unique project. They were able to offer design improvements to help reduce costs and improve the manufacturability of the ducts. Despite the tight timescales Forbes were able to deliver the ducts to site on time and continue to show interest in how the remaining project is progressing.”
A team from our manufacturing facility in Kelso will also being joining the team from our Crimplesham offices, in attempting to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge on 28th July.
The team from Kelso will be raising money for the Margaret Kerr Unit at Borders General Hospital, which is an exceptionally good cause close to home. Over the years they have cared for many friends, family and colleagues of ours and are always there when called upon.
If you’d like to donate to this very good cause please visit the Just Giving donations page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gary-dempster2
They’d be very grateful for any donations you can make towards this cause! Check back for updates to see how they got on.
In memory of a good friend and colleague a team of Forbes employees will be taking on the national 3 Peaks challenge at the end of July. Yes, this is the dash up and down the 3 tallest peaks in the UK (Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scaffel Pike) within 24 hours.
In doing so, they’ll be raising money for an excellent charity ‘The Young Minds Trust’. The Young Minds Trust aim is to help children and adolescents cope with mental health issues and support them whatever the challenges they may face. More children and young people than ever before are reaching out for help with their mental health, but for those who take that brave step, help is much too hard to find. The Trusts aim is to help change this.
If you’d like to donate to this very good cause please visit the Just Giving donations page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/forbes3peakschallenge
They’d be very grateful for any donations you can make towards this cause, and as a thankyou to our largest sponsor will proudly be displaying their company logo on a large flag at the top of each of the 3 peaks!
Check back for updates at the end of the July to see how they got on!
It is with deepest regret that we must announce the recent passing of much loved chairman and ‘father of the Forbes family’, Lee Forbes.
Well known to many as a passionate pioneer of plastics in the industry; Lee’s loss is felt deeply by many, including those who have worked with and for Forbes, and many customers and suppliers alike.
Lee’s battle with illness, although short, was time enough for him to prepare the company for his departure, and he was keen to impress a positive attitude upon friends and fellow directors, giving a clear instruction that it should be ‘business as usual’ at Forbes.
Not only was this typical of Lee’s stalwart approach – demonstrating the resilience earned in over 50 years at the helm – but when remembered along with his friendly, knowing smile, it is an instruction to carry on with pride, that brings comfort to the whole team, and will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come.
At the beginning of March, Forbes were invited to Cambridge Regional College for the 2018 Apprenticeship Awards evening to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and employers across the region. Forbes were nominated for both Apprentice of the Year and Employer of the Year for the Management and Professional category.
We are very pleased to announce our newest recruit, Elliott Sowden, won his category for his apprenticeship in Sales. Elliott’s tutor, along with Forbes, are very happy with his progress so far ‘[he] produces the highest quality work and demonstrates exceptional commitment to his apprenticeship course and his employer’.
Forbes were also recognised for their commitment to its apprentices and came away as Employer of the year for its category. Melvyn Jupp, Managing Director, attended the evening and collected the award on behalf of Forbes.
Forbes have been part of apprenticeship schemes for more than 10 years across both of its site. These programmes have proved successful and beneficial to the Company, and will be continued for years to come.
Forbes were very pleased to host local MSP Rachael Hamilton at their Kelso factory on Tuesday 9th March for Scottish Apprenticeship Week, where she met with the factory based apprentices.
Forbes currently have 3 apprentices in training at their factory, however, this is a scheme they have successfully been part of for over a decade. Further to the fabrication apprentices Forbes employ, they have an additional 3 apprentices and 2 former apprentices at their design head office in Norfolk.
Rachael Hamilton’s visit enabled Forbes to showcase the training and support they provide and gave the apprentices the opportunity to show the work they do within the company. Apprenticeships help tackle skills gaps by allowing employees to learn on the job, working on real projects with experienced colleagues. It combines the confidence and qualifications needed to succeed.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an annual campaign co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to encourage more employers to take on apprenticeships and more young people to consider an apprenticeship. This year’s campaign ‘Apprenticeships are the Business’ is aimed at highlighting the importance of apprenticeships to individuals, businesses and the economy.
If you would like to find out more information about #ScotAppWeek18 follow the link to their website https://www.apprenticeships.scot/scottish-apprenticeship-week/
Tank Inspections Ltd is a spin off company from Forbes Technologies Ltd, they are highly experienced in the inspection of tanks in plastics & composites.
Tank Inspections Ltd are now a licensee for the unique UltraAnalytix™system, which allows inspections to take place with the tank still in process.
This novel process, where all data is collected from the outside shell of the tank, dramatically reduces costs as no drain down or entry into confined space is required. You will receive a detailed assessment of the GRP laminate properties throughout the wall of the tank, including the condition of the corrosion barrier or indication of leakage through any thermoplastic inner shell.
For more information please visit www.tankinspections.co.uk
Four years ago Forbes Technologies Ltd invested £1.5 million in a brand new facility for the manufacture of large helically wound thermoplastic tanks with capacities in excess of 100 cubic metres. With demand increasing for tanks in High Density Polyethylene PE 100, Forbes have commissioned a major expansion of their production facilities at their Kelso factory, located in the Scottish Borders.
The expansion represents 40% increase in production capacity, which Forbes has work in hand for the export markets which have been helped by the devaluation of the UK Pound against the US Dollar & Euro.
The automated extruding / winding process of thermoplastic material on to large mandrels ranging from 750mm diameter to 4000mm diameter produces a homogenous solid wall with thicknesses from a few millimetres to in excess of 120mm thickness in polyethylene or polypropylene. The bases & tops of the tanks are automatically welded to the cylinder giving exceptional weld strengths. The thermoplastic tanks are designed, built, tested & inspected to BS EN 12573.
Demand for the Forbes unique “Innatank” is increasing also. Innatanks consist of helically wound tank with a separate close fitting bund which is assembled with the tank as one piece at the manufacturer’s site to enable ease of installation. This configuration reduces the overall foot print. Fitted with automated bund alarm & “over the top” discharge system, the Innatank is one of the safest storage solutions for hazardous chemicals.
Forbes are proud to announce their recently awarded accreditation from Alcumus
SafeContractor for achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace.
Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading third party accreditation scheme which recognises
extremely rigorous standards in health and safety management amongst contractors. It is
used by thousands of organisations in the UK including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies.
The company’s application for SafeContractor accreditation was driven by the need for a
uniform standard across the business. SafeContractor accreditation will enhance the
Forbes’ability to win new contracts, and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively
by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.
Gemma Archibald, Director of Alcumus SafeContractor said: “Major organisations simply
cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they
have sound health and safety policies in place.”
“More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in
the way that Forbes has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will
be followed by other companies within the sector. SafeContractor plays a vital role in
supporting our clients in meeting their compliance needs, whilst working with their
contractors as they progress through the accreditation process.”
Forbes have recently signed up to Operation Clean Sweep and have committed to ensuring that there are zero plastic pellets, flakes and powders lost from their facility to the environment.
“We have always taken our responsibility for the Environment very seriously. Operation Clean Sweep has helped to focus our attention on engaging all our staff in pellet containment and also in reviewing current practice. We are proud to show the industries commitment to this programme”.
Operation Clean Sweep is an international programme and is run in the UK by the British Plastics Federation (BPF). The programme is designed to provide best practice through its manual on how to contain plastic pellets, flakes and powders. The manual provides information on conducting site audits, setting up training programmes, worksite setup and procedures to contain and clean up pellets.
Helen Jordan, the Sustainability Issues Executive at the BPF says “The plastic industry is committed to reducing plastic pellet losses to the Environment and Operation Clean Sweep provides the practical tools companies need to do this. Many of the industry already have Environmental Management Systems in place but Operation Clean Sweep provides an additional emphasis for the company on plastic pellet containment”.
We encourage other companies to pledge their support for Operation Clean Sweep at www.operationcleansweep.co.uk