Project IndustryDistilling
CategoryWater and Wastewater Treatment
Project StatusOngoing Project
irish whiskey distillery
Project Information
Brown Forman, the Tennessee based owner of internationally famous whiskey brands such as Jack Daniels and Woodford Reserve have, in conjunction with the historic Slane Castle Estate, developed and built a brand-new Irish Whiskey Distillery and Visitor Centre within the grounds and buildings of Slane Castle. The Distillery has the initial capacity to produce 1.2million Litres of Pure Alcohol PA (LPA) using all 3 No. processes, Grain, Malt and Pot Still. The design philosophy was to develop a sustainable, energy-efficient distillery, incorporating water recycling, resource recovery (co-products) and waste minimisation. The completed Facility sees a mixture of the best available, modern, technologies implemented in a way that does not overshadow the traditional processes or historical setting.
Water Utilities
River Water extraction from the River Boyne, including pumping, storage, and distribution (Process usage).
Borehole Water including pumping, storage, treatment and distribution (potable and process water usage).
Rainwater collection, storage, treatment and distribution (process usage).
Collection and reclamation of the Distillery effluents for energy recovery, co-products (usable fertiliser product for the Grain crops – circular economy) and return of clean water to the river.
The Co-Products Treatment System incorporates state of the art UASB Anaerobic Digestion (AD) producing renewable biogas for use in the boilers, coupled with advanced aerobic Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) processes, before returning the treated water to the historic River Boyne.
Project Scope
We were engaged at the pre-planning stage as part of the architect-led design team, to develop the entire water utilities systems for the site, including water extraction, treatment, distribution, process usage, and discharge. Our inputs to the planning process included engineering solutions to the water quality assessments, the water extraction processes and discharge licencing. We have provided, and continue to provide services to Brown Forman and Slane Castle Distillery for the complete water supply and co-products treatment systems. Design and Engineering of the site’s complete water treatment, and water reclamation works, including:
- Process
- Mechanical
- Electrical, Instrumentation, Control, and Automation (EICA)
- AutoCAD drawing sets including P&IDs, layouts, isometrics, construction drawings and 3D modelling
- Procurement, tendering and contract documentation for the construction phases
- Supervision of construction works
- Commissioning and process proving services
- Ongoing consultation and support services
Project Outcomes
The brief included the design and engineering of the co-products treatment system including state of the art UASB anaerobic digestion, (where biogas will be used in the boilers) followed by advanced biological nutrient removal treatment before returning the treated water to the Boyne river. To maintain the visual aesthetics of the site and optimise the visitor experiences the water and co-products processes were housed in one building designed by the project architects, this presented substantial layout and footprint restrictions, adding to the complexity of the design. Our drawing office and engineers worked closely with the architects and structural engineers to create the 3D model you see below.
