Toyo Glass's Hydrogen Melting Research
The Toyo Glass research study, the "Research and Development of the Utilization of an Oxygen and Hydrogen Combustion Flame as the Heat Source for Melting Soda-Lime Glass” was selected by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (“NEDO”).
The use of oxygen–hydrogen combustion offers the potential for clean and energy efficient glass melting, as it generates only water vapour in the exhaust gas and operates at a higher flame temperature compared to conventional air combustion. Through this research study initiative, Toyo Glass aims to achieve a decarbonizing technology for “high-temperature heat demand”, which has posed challenges for achieving carbon neutrality due to the energy conversion hurdle.
One method for producing hydrogen without emitting CO2 is through the electrolysis of water using electric power from renewable energy. The process also generates oxygen as a byproduct. Producing hydrogen and oxygen using water and electricity within a glass manufacturing plant, it becomes feasible to realize oxygen and hydrogen combustion in a glass melting furnace by simply installing a pipeline. Such a configuration is considered to minimize energy losses.
Given the significant differences in heat transfer conditions to glass and the furnace atmosphere compared to conventional oxygen–hydrogen combustion technology, there are numerous research subjects to explore. As a leading company in the glass bottle industry, Toyo Glass is committed to achieving glass melting technology using oxygen–hydrogen combustion to deliver glass bottles with low environmental impact while maintaining the same high quality.
