Clark-Reliance® Boiler Level Instruments Installed at Uniper's Enfield Power Station

Perseverance has been a term used frequently when discussing pandemic challenges. We are proud to share a case study in which Clark-Reliance and partner Induchem Group worked with Uniper's Enfield Power Station (North East London) and selected contractors to overcome unprecedented obstacles while maintaining comprehensive pandemic safety protocols.

The Challenge

Uniper's Enfield Power Station was operating with aging boiler level indication equipment that no longer met modern safety standards. The facility faced several critical issues:

• Operators had difficulty reading water level from the control room

• Equipment did not meet current ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code requirements

• Aging instrumentation risked failure during peak-demand periods

• Operators spent excessive time at the boiler verifying water levels

  
  

At a power generation facility, boiler water level control is mission-critical. Too little water and boiler tubes can burn through; too much water can damage downstream turbines. The margin for error is zero.

Uniper needed a reliable solution — during a global pandemic with severe travel and site access restrictions.

The Solution

Clark-Reliance specified a comprehensive boiler level indication and control system featuring:

Direct Reading Indication

• High-quality boiler gauge glasses for direct visual verification (ASME required)

• Stainless steel construction for durability

• Independent backup if electronic systems fail

Electronic Level Monitoring

• Level transmitters for remote monitoring and DCS/SCADA integration

• Real-time data transmission to the control room

• Alarm points for high/low water conditions

Automated Control

• Modern control system that automatically adjusts feedwater flow

• Improved response to load changes

• Reduced manual operator intervention

  
  

The dual approach ensures both safety compliance and operational reliability.

Implementation: Overcoming Pandemic Challenges

What made this project unique was execution during COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions. Traditional commissioning would have required on-site engineers working alongside Uniper's team for extended periods.

Instead, Clark-Reliance implemented a remote-first approach:

• Remote Technical Review via Microsoft Teams — Equipment configuration, features, and benefits were reviewed via webcam

• Virtual Training — Operators received comprehensive maintenance training through screen sharing and live demonstrations

• Safety-First Execution — All work adhered to Uniper's pandemic protocols with minimal on-site personnel

• Staged Installation — Selected contractors performed physical installation while Clark-Reliance provided remote support throughout commissioning

  
  

This approach proved so effective that it established a new model for equipment installation during challenging circumstances.

Results

The installation delivered measurable improvements:

Enhanced Visibility Operators can now see boiler water level clearly from the control room with real-time electronic indication. The new gauge glasses provide superior contrast compared to the previous system.

ASME Code Compliance The dual-instrument approach (direct reading + electronic backup) fully satisfies ASME code requirements for redundancy and independent verification.

Improved Safety The combination of quick-response electronic control and reliable direct-reading indication gives operators multiple layers of protection. Water level is maintained more precisely, reducing risk of equipment damage.

Operational Efficiency The modern control system responds faster to load changes, which is critical during peak demand periods. Automatic level adjustment reduces manual intervention and improves consistency.

Operator Confidence Field feedback confirmed the new system is easier to use, more reliable, and instills greater confidence in boiler safety.

Key Takeaway

This project exemplifies how critical infrastructure cannot pause — even during a global pandemic. Uniper's commitment to safety, combined with Clark-Reliance's expertise and innovative remote commissioning approach, delivered a solution that improved boiler safety, met strict regulatory requirements, enhanced operator efficiency, and was completed despite unprecedented logistical challenges.

The Enfield Power Station continues to generate reliable electricity with modern, compliant boiler instrumentation.