Rockwool explores hydrogen to fuel insulation production
Stone wool insulation manufacturing processes use natural gas to input and maintain heat in combustion systems and curing ovens. Rockwool UK is to investigate the design and costs associated with conversion of up to 7MW of natural gas heaters to be fuelled with green hydrogen, including electrolytic hydrogen production from local wind and solar renewable power in Bridgend, to support demonstration of end to end industrial fuel switching to hydrogen. The insulation giant is joining forces with Marubeni Europower and Mott MacDonald to develop a potential end-to-end hydrogen solution at its South Wales plant in Bridgend.
The research is receiving almost £400,000 from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio under the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) via the Industrial Hydrogen Accelerator programme.
The project will consider necessary design and control requirements to safely and effectively operate the process plant under 100% hydrogen fuelling as a substitute for natural gas for a single production line, which could be replicated across two other production lines. Hybrid approaches utilising both natural gas and hydrogen fuelling within combustion systems and curing ovens will also be considered, which may facilitate early operation and transition ahead of increased hydrogen supply. The scope will include assessment of facility modifications, electrolytic hydrogen production, storage, transport, and power supply, together with associated costs to enable this end to end industrial fuel switch to hydrogen.
A financial evaluation will outline potential costs and benefits operationally and environmentally. The project aims to deliver a fully costed implementation proposal suitable to progress to a Stream 2B demonstration project.
Image: Rockwool in South Wales is exploring green hydrogen implementation.
