Kildare company seeks retention permission for 40 metre tall chimney structure

A Kildare company has applied for permission to retain a 40 metre tall chimney stack-type structure  in Naas.

QK Cold Stores Ltd of Maudlins Industrial Estate, Monread Road, has made the application to Kildare County Council.

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Documents submitted as part of the application refer to the flue as a replacement structure located adjacent to existing industrial buildings within an industrial complex.

The original flue, which forms part of a production facility, was in operation for over 30 years and (was) “in need of replacement and upgrading to incorporate new heat recovery technology.”

The document adds: “The function of the flue is to capture waste heat from the gases that exit the back of the boiler.”

And this gas carries a significant amount of energy that would otherwise be lost.    

“The harvesting of this previously wasted heat reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the hot water used in the production facilities, reducing the amount of natural gas being consumed. The flue is designed to work as efficiently as possible, helping to convert waste heat into usable hot water. This not only saves energy, but also supports more sustainable and cost-effective operations,” according to the document.

Q.K. Coldstores Ltd is part of a privately owned, Irish agri-food Group. Its headquarters is in Naas and it employs about 1,000 people.