Energy-efficient and low-emission heating of silicon strip lines using hydrogen as a fuel was the focus of an extensive test C.D. Wälzholz GmbH & Co. KG successfully completed together with WS Wärmeprozesstechnik in 2022.
As early as summer 2021, WS delivered several patented FLOX® burners for the installation in an existing silicon strip line. This line uses SiSiC radiant tubes to heat the furnace to a temperature of approx. 1,050 °C. After commissioning, the WS burners were successfully operated with 100% hydrogen for one year. The knowledge gained in this process is being directly incorporated into the further development of energy-efficient and extremely low-emission industrial burners by WS.
The long-term test showed that a switch to hydrogen as a fuel is very well possible for the furnace under investigation. Mr. Peter Höfinghoff, expert for thermal process engineering in the technical office at Waelzholz, happily concluded: "Even after a year of operation, the burners are running very well and without faults. We were able to sufficiently demonstrate that by using WS burners, a conversion to hydrogen is technically feasible without any problems."
Energy efficiency and sustainability of all products and processes are at the heart of the sustainability strategy at C.D. Wälzholz GmbH & Co. KG. With the findings from the test operation, the company is laying an important foundation stone for the future hydrogen strategy at its headquarters in Hagen. After using the patented products from WS Wärmeprozesstechnik over a long time already, Waelzholz and WS can look back on decades of positive experience in their cooperation.
Rexnord Kette GmbH and WS have successfully modernized a belt furnace, reducing the furnace's CO2 emissions by 35%. In addition to new burners with maximum energy efficiency, the optimization of the operating mode also contributes to the CO2 reduction.
Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minsiter Winfried Kretschmann visits WS in Renningen to find out about activities in the field of hydrogen. In addition to the production of green hydrogen from biogas and decentralized ammonia cracking, the high-ranking visit also focuses on the highly efficient and low-emission industrial burners manufactured by WS.
The new research field of thermal process technology is dedicated to the goal of defossilizing high-temperature processes above 1,000 °C. While some processes are flexible enough to be heated with renewable electricity, climate-neutral fuels will be necessary for many applications in the future.
Continuous and recently even particularly strong increases in sales figures prove that the REGEMAT® 250 is the new gold standard for modern strip galvanizing lines. Customers are impressed by the lowest NOx values with maximum efficiency as well as its future viability thanks to its outstanding suitability for operation with hydrogen.
The WS Group is looking forward to an exciting and successful year 2024. We are expecting the completion and commissioning of several pioneering investments. On the product side, our customers can also look forward to various innovations and further developments that will make a decisive contribution to their success in achieving true sustainability.
Sustainability and efficiency were the key objectives in the design of thyssenkrupp's state-of-the-art hot-dip coating line FBA 10. COO Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold and Dr. Clemens Trachternach, Team Leader FBA 10, provide an exciting insight into the various parts of the ultra-modern line.
