Page 41 - Gi flipbook March 2018

From Grain to the Glass – McColl’s Brewery Tour

By Andy Middleton, North East & to cope with the demands of its huge much I enjoyed the evening. Danny’s
Yorkshire Section Chair water boiler. This was truly inspiring passion for his company, beer and the
stuff and demonstrated the absolute brewing process was clear to see.
IN DECEMBER, the North East & commitment, dedication and Speaking off the cuff is the best way
Yorkshire Section visited McColl’s enthusiasm required to get something to do these things, and it was done
Brewery, in County Durham. like this off the ground. really well.” ■
Although not strictly a gas-related We were then treated to a full tour
event, it gave a fascinating insight into of all parts of the brewery, from
the processes involved in brewing combining and boiling up the raw
beer. McColl’s opened in May 2017 ingredients through to the finished
and we were the first group to take a product. There were lots of shiny
tour, led by owner and Head Brewer stainless steel vessels, valves and pipes
Danny McColl. for us engineers to get excited about!
We were all greeted on arrival with Following the tour of the brewery
a selection of four core beers and a we were treated to a beer and food
special Christmas brew of which we pairing buffet (Danny is a qualified
could drink our fill. beer sommelier) and an informal Q&A
With our glasses full of delicious session, which could’ve gone on all
beer, Danny talked about what night such was the interest from the
inspired him to become a brewer and 15 members who attended.
open his own business, as well as the We received some fantastic
challenges (unforeseen and otherwise) feedback from the event. One
that were overcome along the way. attendee said: “This was my second
One of these challenges involved an IGEM event and having never drank
upgrade to the brewery’s gas supply beer before, I was surprised at how McColls Brewery Visit

Tour of the Morfa Coke Making Process at Tata Steel, Port Talbot

By Helen Fitzgerald, IGEM Welsh blast furnaces can produce around ovens, the coal is heated at a
Section Chair five million tonnes per annum of temperature of between 1200-
liquid steel. The integrated steel 1300°C for around 18 hours to
works has several processes, which produce coke. At the end of the coke
are carried out sequentially across cycle, the coke is pushed out of the
the installation in order to convert oven into a railcar and the red hot
the raw iron ores and coal to a coke is transported to a quenching
variety of steel products. tower, where it is cooled by water. It
The coke-making process begins is this cooling that produces the
with coal, which is carefully blended iconic plumes of steam that can be
and layered in beds before being seen above the site in Port Talbot.
taken by conveyor belt to the Morfa This was a very popular visit giving
coke ovens. Here, the coal mix is those who attended a unique
charged to airtight ovens using a set experience at a large heavy industrial
A GROUP FROM IGEM Welsh of four mobile hoppers. Once in the site in South Wales. ■
Section enjoyed a technical visit to
Port Talbot’s Tata Steel Plant to get
an insight into the coke-making
process.
Operational Manager Wayne
Hoffrock gave a presentation on the
complexities of the process, followed
by a tour of the facility. He was
supported by his colleagues Nathan
Cadogan Clark and Richard Charlton,
who both gave us the benefit of their
expert knowledge.
Port Talbot’s integrated iron and
steelworks is owned by Tata Steel
UK Ltd and, at full capacity, its two

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