ROXY-B – Reducing emissions from heat treatment of ceramics through oxygen-permeable membranes

The "ROXY-B" project, funded by Thüringer Aufbaubank, constitutes the first industrial application of – and is a planned further development of – a membrane system for the ceramic firing process that was first developed and functionality tested by the "IBIS" project, funded by the German federal government (FKZ 01LY1616A-C). The main objective was to achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions by saving fuel gas, coupled with lower emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) through a process of enriching combustion air with oxygen.

The device consists of a module fitted with asymmetrical tubular membranes and the necessary measuring technology (oxygen sensors, thermocouples) and peripherals. Full functionality of the oxygen generator had already been established successfully by the IBIS project. In its present version, the device provides 1,300 litres of oxygen per hour with a degree of purity between 95 and 98%. As part of the ROXY-B joint project, the Tridelta Thermprozess team connected the oxygen generator to the thermal post-combustion system of a gas-fuelled high-temperature furnace operated by its project partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems in Hermsdorf. This allows the generator to be operated by waste heat from the firing process, dramatically reducing the amount of energy required for oxygen generation. In the course of the project, the active membrane surface and module were enlarged, resulting in higher oxygen output.

After further testing and improving the general design of the device, the project successfully developed an optimized oxygen generator suitable for scaling and implementation in larger firing systems. These results create the possibility for the construction of an individually expandable system.

Project duration: 15 Aug 2021 to 30 June 2023

Project funded by:

- European Regional Development Fund

- European Union

- Thüringer Aufbaubank