By Josh Perry, Editor
[email protected]

Researchers from Brunel University (London, U.K.), according to an article posted on Phys.org, used heat pipe technology to complete a project to develop the next generation of low-energy, low-emissions kilns for the European ceramics industry.

The heat pipe heat exchanger was far more efficient than standard kilns. (Brunel University)

The DREAM (Design for Resource and Energy efficiency in cerAMic kilns) project, which is overseen by the SPIRE (Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency) 2030 public-private association, aimed to design and develop improved architecture for ceramic industrial furnaces.

According to the report from Brunel, European ceramics account for a quarter of the world’s production but they are huge consumers of thermal energy, are highly inefficient, and emit dangerous levels of CO₂.

The DREAM project demonstrated a new design for a roller kiln at the Mirage facility in Pavullo, Italy. Using flat heat pipes in a heat exchanger, researchers transferred waste heat from the cooling process to warm air for the dryer. The warm air could also be recycled to heat the factory.

Testing in Italy showed that this heat pipe heat exchanger was 25 percent more effective at recycling waste heat than conventional heat exchangers. Researchers claim that over six months the new heat pipe system cut emissions by 205.5 tons per year and saved £28,000 per year. The system recovered 360 MJ of energy every hour.

The report explained, “Figures show firms should make their money back in savings within two years of installing the Heat Pipes Heat Exchanger.”