Innovative Low-Carbon Furnace Enters Final Commissioning Phase with Hydrogen Capability
Key Ideas
- The Materials Processing Institute's bogie hearth furnace, running on hydrogen or hydrogen/natural gas blends, is reaching its final commissioning phase.
- Manufactured by Therser UK, the bespoke furnace can handle up to 5t of material and will offer a unique platform for testing hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels.
- Equipped with sensing and control systems, the furnace at Teesside site aims to provide operational data for informed investment decisions and technology validation.
- Funded by the ECONOMISER 2 program, the furnace is part of initiatives promoting sustainability and innovation in the Foundation Industry Sustainability Consortium.
The Materials Processing Institute's low-carbon bogie hearth furnace, developed by Therser UK, is in its final commissioning phase with a unique capability to run on hydrogen or hydrogen/natural gas blends. This innovative furnace can heat up to 5t of material, making it a versatile tool for testing various low-carbon fuels. Currently undergoing refractory drying at the Teesside site, the furnace will soon be available to industry as a pilot-scale demonstrator. Operating at temperatures of up to 1300°C, the furnace is equipped with advanced sensing and control systems to collect essential operational data. This data aims to support investment decisions and validate hydrogen and fuel switching technologies. The project is supported by the ECONOMISER 2 program, part of the UK Research and Innovation initiative delivered by the Foundation Industry Sustainability Consortium. MPI's CEO, Terry Walsh, highlights the furnace's role in de-risking hydrogen technologies and promoting sustainability in the industry, making it a significant step towards a low-carbon future.