Technology: Microwave Technology
Industry:
Building & Ceramics
EU Project
MAGF
Sustainable Manufacture of Brick and Tiles Using
Microwave Energy
Project Overview:
The MAGF project aims to introduce microwave technology into Danish brickworks. The current source of energy for
drying and firing bricks is >90% from natural gas. Previous investigations have shown that switching to a combination
of natural gas and microwave firing (Microwave Assisted Gas Firing - MAGF) can cut production times and fluoride
emissions and lead to energy savings of up to 50%.
Key Objectives:
This project aims to:
• establish an experimental pilot plant for MAGF drying and firing of bricks
• research typical Danish raw materials the mineralogical development of
both the traditional and MAGF fired products
• determine the dielectric properties of each brick companies raw materials
and products to create a basis of introducing MAGF to the plants
• get MAGF technology mature and ready for implementation to the
industry in general
• demonstrate the potential energy savings and product quality
improvements possible
Aiming for 50% energy reduction
What problem does it address?
The Danish government has a goal to phase out the use of all fossil fuels by 2050, and there is an increasingly
critical view of the current use of fossil fuel in the industry. The conversion to renewable energy sources is therefore
essential but is not possible without an introduction of new technology. To reach the temperatures required for
burning clay (up to 1100 °C) is not realistic using biomass based fuels, and to use electricity for convection or
radiation heating would lead to unacceptable high energy consumption. Using microwaves for drying and firing is
currently the only realistic and promising opportunity to use electricity as energy source for clay brick firing, thus
enabling utilisation of renewable energy sources.
Who will benefit from the project?
The project aims to reduce the energy requirement from brick manufacturing giving lower productions costs and
improve the product quality and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels as an energy source.
Why is the project being funded?
The project is funded by DTI (Danish technical Institute) and the EUDP (Danish Energy Agency) and aims to show
the energy savings and quality advantages possible when using a combination of microwaves and gas firing to
fire clay bricks in Danish brickworks. The objective is to half the energy consumption for the drying and firing of
bricks by changing the energy source from fossil fuels to electricity. The project will encourage the use of green
energy as Denmark obtains most of its electricity from renewable sources.
Project Consortium:
Danish Technical Institute (Denmark) (coordinator), C-Tech Innovation (UK), Aarhus University
(Denmark), University of Nottingham (UK), Strøjer Tegl (Denmark), Pipers Teglværker
(Denmark), Helligsø Teglværk (Denmark)
Contact information: Yvonne Wharton
[email protected]
+44(0) 151 347 2974
www.ctechinnovation.com
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INNOVATION