Feature

UK’s first hydrogen kiln test rig helps manufacturers make a sustainable switch

A hydrogen-fuelled kiln test rig is helping brick and ceramics manufacturers to support the energy transition.

07/01/2025 10:22:46

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In a UK first, a kiln and furnace manufacturer has partnered with Bürkert to manage the precise and reliable control of hydrogen. The result for end users is increased production quality and confidence in the transition to hydrogen, enabling a more sustainable process.

Developed by the manufacturer, the UK’s first in-house hydrogen test kiln is used primarily in the production process of ceramics, pottery, and bricks. Its party piece is that it can scale its operation with a fuel mix of 20 percent hydrogen or more. The test kiln has been developed to support businesses making the transition to the increased use of hydrogen.

Currently, in the UK, kilns are primarily fired with natural gas, but the Government is considering plans to blend the supply of gas in the network with 20 percent hydrogen. For brick and ceramic manufacturing, the type and concentration of gas impact the curing process. The new kiln design enables manufacturers to test their production processes with a hydrogen blend and monitor the effects on the quality of their products, in advance of a government switch-over.

Read the full article in DPA's January 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.