Imagine swapping out the natural gas in a giant industrial oven for hydrogen to stop pollution. It's not as simple as changing a fuel tank because hydrogen burns differently and can damage the oven's lining. This work creates a smart burner and a guide on which materials can withstand the heat without melting or cracking.
Industries requiring high-temperature heat cannot easily switch to hydrogen because standard burners cause high NOx emissions and hydrogen damages traditional furnace linings.
A 150 kW prototype burner and a full-scale 2 MWth integrated hydrogen burner system for aluminum furnaces, along with a validated list of hydrogen-resistant refractory materials.
If you are a recycling facility dealing with high carbon emissions from melting scrap — this project developed a 2 MWth hydrogen burner system that allows you to run on 100% hydrogen while maintaining product quality.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with the shift toward green energy — this project developed a low-NOx oxyfuel burner design and a 150 kW prototype that can be scaled for industrial use.
If you are a supplier dealing with material degradation in hydrogen atmospheres — this project tested various refractory materials to identify which ones survive high-temperature hydrogen combustion.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not provided, but the project includes techno-economic modeling and the development of cost-effective replication guidelines.
Yes, the project aims for a full-scale demonstration with a thermal output of more than 2 MWth, including a 100-hour trial at 100% hydrogen.
Based on available project data, there is no specific mention of licensing terms, but the project focuses on creating guidelines for other industrial sites to replicate the results.
The project runs from 2024-01-01 to 2026-12-31, with a demonstration phase lasting at least six months.
The technology is designed for retrofitting existing furnaces, specifically in aluminum recycling, using a hybrid of digital tools and experimental testing to ensure safety and efficiency.
The consortium is highly industry-oriented with a 40% industry ratio, comprising 10 partners across 4 countries. With 5 SMEs and 4 industrial partners, including an end-user association for the European aluminium sector, the group is structured to move research quickly into commercial application.
Contact Universite Libre de Bruxelles for technical specifications on the H2 burner
Contact us to find a licensed partner for hydrogen burner retrofitting.
