Drawing the curtain for Amey

Amey, the main contractor at the centre, required a robust solution to prevent the contamination of ammonia across the site.

The global consultancy and infrastructure support services company turned to Leeds-based Union Industries and its bespoke, heavy-duty industrial curtains to solve the issue.

The replacement curtains were used to separate the Aerated Static Piles composting process from the main Bio Hall area of the centre.

Union Industries installed its high-grade stainless-steel industrial curtains to replace the existing highly corroded system in place at the waste recycling centre. The curtains deliver a corrosion resistant solution to wide-ranging applications, which are made with lacquered PVC coated polyester.

The installation featured additional lateral tensioning straps for the curtains, PVC pelmet and a hardwearing ‘ramskin’ flap to the curtain base, which were incorporated into the design to maintain an effective seal around the curtain. This preserved the negative pressure within the bays and minimised the gases escaping into the Bio Hall.

The difference was immediately noticeable as condensation formed within the bays and was visible on the vision panels installed within the curtains, as opposed to it escaping into the adjoining area. This had previously been the cause of the issue for Amey.

John Allen, AD Supervisor at Amey, said: “The curtains now ensure the atmosphere is drawn through the correct ventilation system. This leads to the ammonia scrubber before it is released to the atmosphere through a biofilter, and without Union Industries support or products this wouldn’t have been achieved.”