Float furnace powered by hydrogen in world first
Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG group, has successfully manufactured architectural glass at its St Helens facility using hydrogen power in a world-first trial.
A key step in the manufacturer’s plans to decarbonise and a pathway to using hydrogen to power all production at the site
The aim of the trial was to demonstrate that the furnace, in which the raw ingredients of the glass are heated to around 1,600°C, could run safely at full production without impacting product quality.
Matt Buckley, UK MD of Pilkington, said: “The trial was a significant success. Thanks to NSG’s advanced fuel combustion expertise, and the preparation and efforts of the team, we managed to achieve a seamless transition between the two different fuels. It proves that hydrogen is just as capable as natural gas in achieving excellent melting performance, and that it could be possible to operate the furnace with vastly reduced carbon emissions.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “I want the Liverpool City Region to be at the forefront of the Green Industrial Revolution to take advantage of the jobs, investment and innovation that it will bring. Just as we led the first industrial revolution, our region is leading the green one too. HyNet has the potential to be a transformative project for our region, cutting carbon emissions across the North West by 25% and helping us take big a step towards our climate targets.”
David Parkin, Director of Progressive Energy and Project Director of HyNet North West said: “Industry is vital for the economy but is difficult to decarbonise. HyNet is focused on removing carbon from industry through a range of technologies including the capturing and locking up of carbon and the production and use of hydrogen as a low carbon fuel.”
The three-week trial on the float glass line used approximately 60 road tankers of hydrogen, but the longer-term plan is to create a network of hydrogen pipelines to supply key industrial sites.
Image: Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram visiting Pilkington UK during the hydrogen firing trial.
