Great Britain is in the midst of a clean energy transition. According to Energy UK, 2025 was a record year, the cleanest in history. This comes after big increases in the amount of power we generate from wind, solar, and other renewables. However, we still use fossil fuel, mainly focusing on using natural gas in combined cycle gas turbine power plants. As a result, steam vent silencers are still vital for addressing noise. We want to have a closer look at CCGT today, exploring the history and ongoing role in generating electricity in the UK.
Development
Before the 1970s, most power plants were coal or oil fired. There were only a small number of hydro-electrical stations, plus some experimenting with natural gas. Developments in the Irish Sea and North Sea brought big changes. Significantly, it meant an increase in demand for gas and a decline in coal and oil. Changes in the 90s, including deregulation and privatisation, would then change the electrical industry forever.
There was an exciting period of technological development here. One of the most significant was the creation of CCGT plants. They are really interesting because they combine two different systems; a gas turbine and a steam turbine. Before this, plants would be one or the other. However, the combination could generate far more power from the fuel (up to 50%). Further refinements made them even more efficient.
The UK’s first CCGT plant was at Roosecote in Cumbria, coming online in 1991. There was then a period of significant development, with dozens of plants built across the UK. Today there are still a significant number. Interestingly, you can find them in a variety of locations, including urban and rural areas. Amazingly, there is even one at Imperial College London at the South Kensington site to provide power and heat. Some of these areas show how important it is to use steam vent silencers to tackle noise.
Sound
As we said, one of the downsides of CCGT plants is they can be very noisy. This may be hazardous to workers on sites, businesses, and people living nearby. So, it is vital to address it.
The most important thing to remember is there can be noise from various sources here. This includes various vents in the heat recovery system, such as safety relief, de-aerator, and start-up. Any time a system needs to release high pressure gas or steam to the atmosphere, it can be very loud. So, you may need a whole suite of silencers.
Talk to us about steam vent silencers
Designing the right silencer for each individual application will deliver the best results. The key is to make sure you consider the conditions, including the pressure, temperature, and venting frequency. Whatever the case though, the core idea of silencers is similar; they provide attenuation and/or absorption. Notably, some allow gas to expand and can split it into numerous smaller streams.
Ventx is one of the best designers of steam vent silencers in the UK. We can create them for various applications, supporting clients to reduce industrial noise. Crucially, we’ll ensure the designs are correct and use high quality materials to provide a great service life.
So, get in touch today if you need help.
