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Number 10 Exhauster (638)
Built: 1969
Decommissioned: 2002?
Number 10 Exhauster was the last heavy plant installed at
Pyestock to power the air supply network. It was built when
Cell 3 West was constructed and placed in the northwest
corner of the site (a location where the turbine could be easily connected to the
existing suction mains).
This Parsons exhauster was installed for three reasons. Firstly it extended the range of the full
scale free jet nozzle expansion tests; secondly it provided even more exhausting capability to the
suction mains; and thirdly it provided backup when Number 9 Exhauster
was being serviced.
Although it had a lower pressure ratio than Number 9 machine,
it was similarly limited to Cell 3,
Cell 3 West and
Cell 4 as it was connected to the same suction mains.
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South eastern side of Number 10 Exhauster. 31|03|07 © Simon Cornwell 2007
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Unlike Number 9 Exhauster, the new Parsons generator was housed in its
own building, and not as an extension to Cell 4. The building
comprised of a steel framed shed with a tall steel exhaust tower to the south (mounted on a massive concrete
plinth) and two brick blockhouses to the north (which housed the switchgear and control rooms).
The building was bisected by a layer of glass windowing positioned within the upper third of the structure.
This architectural flourish gave the building its unique appearance within Pyestock and flooded
the interior with light (in direct comparison to the dark Number 9 Exhauster).
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Elevated view across the turbine hall. 31|03|07 © Simon Cornwell 2007
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Inside, the Parsons exhauster was mounted within a single storey concrete plinth aligned east-west,
with a large loading bay with access doors to the west of the building. A metal staircase led to the
first floor (where the top of the Parsons exhauster could be accessed). It continued higher to give access
to the loading crane and finally exited onto a metal catwalk which stretched across the entire southern side
of the building.
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South western view across the control room. 31|03|07 © Simon Cornwell 2007
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Number 10 Exhauster was probably decommissioned when Cell 3 closed in 2002.
Number 10 Exhauster Walkthrough...
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