Refurbishment and Upgrades
Client: United Utilities
Location: Birkenhead Wastewater Treatment Works
Scope: Refurbishment, upgrade and life-extension of existing odour control unit
ERG Hygrade successfully delivered a refurbishment and upgrade of an existing odour control unit at United Utilities’ Birkenhead wastewater treatment works, enhancing long-term reliability, corrosion resistance and maintainability while maintaining continuous site operation.
The original odour control system was supplied and installed by ERG Hygrade in 2006 as part of a £2.1 million contract with Byzak Limited (now part of the Amey Group). Having operated reliably for nearly two decades, the system was selected for targeted refurbishment to extend asset life and maintain performance under tightening operational and environmental requirements.
As part of the refurbishment programme, ERG Hygrade carried out the following works:
Replacement of all stainless-steel isolation and non-return dampers with corrosion-resistant GRP units, designed, fabricated and tested in-house
Modernisation of the chemical dosing system, including new sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite dosing cabinets fitted with digital dosing pumps
Full fabrication and assembly of dosing cabinets at ERG Hygrade’s manufacturing facility, including new pipework, pulsation dampeners, calibration tubes and valves
Removal of the existing carbon bed and replacement of internal stainless-steel perforated cages
Installation of a full-diameter roof flange, improving access for future inspection, maintenance and carbon change-out
All components were engineered to suit the existing system layout, airflow requirements and operational constraints.
The refurbishment programme was completed with minimal disruption to plant operations, a key requirement for United Utilities. Odour control performance was maintained throughout the works, ensuring continued compliance and operational continuity.
The project demonstrates both the durability of ERG Hygrade’s original fabrication and the value of specialist refurbishment in extending the service life of complex odour control assets.
Extended service life of critical odour control infrastructure
Improved corrosion resistance and long-term reliability
Enhanced access for inspection and maintenance
Reduced risk of unplanned downtime
Continued compliance with operational and environmental requirements
Industrial gas cleaning/Thermal systems
System Maintenance
Odour control
Plastic-GRP Fabrication
