Japanese glass manufacturer AGC has succeeded in a demonstration test of glass production using hydrogen as fuel.
This is the first time the AGC Group has conducted tests using hydrogen in a production furnace.
The test was conducted at the electronics float glass manufacturing facility of the Kansai Plant, Takasago Factory (Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture).
This test was conducted with the support of Air Liquide Japan (see below), by implementing its hydrogen combustion burner to an existing conventional combustion process with oxygen using natural gas as fuel.
In this test, AGC verified the technological issues for utilising hydrogen-fuelled oxygen combustion technology in glass production, including glass quality, effects on furnace materials, flame temperature, furnace temperature, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions control.
The NOx concentration in the emitted gas from this test was maintained at the same level as in 100% natural gas, while maintaining the required temperature of the glass melting furnace.
Aiming for full-scale deployment, AGC will conduct scaled-up tests of the combustion capacity of the hydrogen combustion burner, and consider demonstration tests at the AGC Group’s global sites to determine the scope of application of hydrogen combustion technology.
The AGC Group is developing various technologies so that it can use the most appropriate GHG emission reduction measures according to regional characteristics and timing.
This test follows the demonstration test using ammonia as fuel conducted in June 2023.
The AGC Group will continue to promote sustainability management under its medium-term management plan AGC plus-2023, aiming to achieve its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.