In accordance with its climate neutrality plans, the company intends to make its production processes completely carbon neutral within 30 years, including by using hydrogen. To this end, the company entered into a long-term cooperation with the specialists of the University of Miskolc. The primary goal of their joint project is to gradually replace the fuel used during production processes by mixing green hydrogen in brick and tile factories, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
In 2023, Wienerberger Zrt. launched its special hydrogen combustion pilot project with experts from the University of Miskolc. As a result of the cooperation, the project implemented in the Tiszavasvár brick factory is considered pioneering and unique in the ceramics industry. The company’s ambitious goal is to reduce CO2 emissions in both the drying and firing steps of brick production in the long term and gradually replace natural gas.
The first phase of the pilot project was completed in April 2024. In preparation for the work, new safety equipment, a bypass pipe branch for mixing natural gas and hydrogen, and a control system were built in the plant. Hydrogen was obtained from tankers. During the test operation, the safety technical elements worked well, and it was possible to replace 25% of the natural gas used for combustion with hydrogen, and the quality inspectors did not notice any changes or deterioration in the quality of the finished products.
„Hydrogen in the gas mixture 25% by volume ratio reaching it is a significant step towards a completely fossil fuel-free production. As the world’s largest brick and Europe’s leading manufacturer of roof tiles, we constantly strive to set an example not only for the ceramic industry, but also for the entire Hungarian industry with our developments, and contribute to the achievement of Wienerberger’s global sustainability goals.
– said Wienerberger’s project manager, Péter Vaskó, National Production Manager.
„For the University of Miskolc, as well as for the researchers of the Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering participating in the project, climate protection, the shift towards climate neutrality, the carbon dioxide-emission by reducing related research and development projects. The realization of the hydrogen combustion experiments started in our laboratory on an industrial scale can be considered a milestone in this field for us as well. The management of the University of Miskolc remains committed to in addition to supporting research related to climate protection. The university’s scientific workshops thus take part in the hydrogen technology facilitating its use in further development steps is”
– said Prof. Dr. Árpád Palotás, dean of the Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering.
Due to the lack of turnkey technology, the project raises many open questions. In relation to cost-effectiveness, combustion properties, and the effects of flue gas composition on product properties, the research consortium is looking for answers in the next phase of research and development.
It is important to mention that ceramic masonry blocks are made of natural material, precisely by firing clay. If we succeed in replacing natural gas with hydrogen, the entire production process – from the raw material used to the energy used for burning – will become completely sustainable, so the Porotherm brick can become a completely “green” building element. During the next step of the long-term project, the rapid dryer in the Tiszavasvár plant will be equipped with new burners capable of burning 100% hydrogen and tested.
Source: www.technokrata.hu
