Kirkstall Power Station
1919 Due to the growth in demand for electricity in Leeds, the Electricity Committee of the City Council were advised that preparations should be made for building a new generating station.
An opportunity later occurred for the purchase of the Kirkstall site
1926 the Corporation acquired the 104 acre site, with a bridge giving access to it.
1927 the Electricity Commissioners empowered the Corporation to proceed with construction
1928 Specifications for the construction were issued. Built by H. Arnold and Son
1929 The power station was selected for the Mid-East England Electricity Scheme[1]
1930 The first electricity was supplied to the distribution system in October.
1931 Visit to Works.[2]
By the kind permission of Mr. C. Nelson Hefford, the Leeds City Electrical Engineer, members of the Institution visited the New Super Power House at Kirkstall. As not more than 20 could be shown over at one time, two visits were arranged on October 10th and 17th, respectively, 16 members being present on each occasion. In each case members met at 2.30 p.m. and were conducted over the plant which is arranged somewhat as follows :—
The coal is received by canal in barges which are emptied by means of telfer grabs, the coal being automatically weighed and fed thence either by inclined conveyor belt to the pulverising house or by distributing belt on to the stack for reserve. After being dried the coal is elevated and pulverised and from thence it is raised to an overhead reserve bunker from which it is blown by compressed air through a pipe line over the railway to the pulverising house proper.
The boiler plant consists of three “ Sterling ” boilers, each having a normal capacity of i6o,ooolbs. per hour of steam at 49olbs. per square inch pressure, superheated to 72O°F. The boilers are equipped with economisers, air preheaters, and the draught is maintained by fans. The rate of firing, draught, etc., are controlled automatically by the steam-demand on the “ Bailey ” system.
The generating plant proper consists of two 25,000 kw. alternators supplying three-phase current at 11,000 volts, and driven by two-stage turbines with condenser plant below.
The distribution current is controlled by a most up-to-date push button system, installed in a very spacious switch room beyond which are the actual switches and transformers for the 6,000 volt supply to Whitehall Road. The transformers for the 132,000 volt grid lines to Bradford and Wakefield are situated near by, but they have not yet been brought into use.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Times Jan. 19, 1929
- ↑ 1931 Institution of Locomotive Engineers: Index