Engineering group Fives has put an energy-efficient furnace into operation at the Guardian Glass plant in Bascharage, Luxembourg. The low-energy Prium Float-Melt furnace has been combined with lower energy melter technology from Fives.
About the new furnace
The furnace has a heat-recovery system that enables the preheating of pure oxygen and natural gas, and produces lower carbon glass. Over time, the technology should reduce the furnace’s gas consumption by 25% and carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to a conventional air-fuel furnace.
The furnace has one of the lowest energy consumption levels in the sector. The lower energy melter technology reduces heat losses and gas consumption without compromising on quality. And the technology achieves record low values of polluting emissions, such as NOx, CO2, SOx and dust. The new furnace is in line with the strategies of both companies, which aim to operate sustainably, use fewer resources, minimize waste and optimize manufacturing processes.
What the companies say
“This new float system heralds an exciting era for the plant in Luxembourg, as it is Guardian Glass' most energy-efficient furnace," says Guus Boekhoudt, executive vice president, Guardian Glass. “We trusted Fives to implement a new technology as they have extensive experience with electric and hybrid melting for various glass applications. In addition, the furnace also provides the Bascharage plant with additional capacity to produce both Guardian ExtraClear float glass and Guardian UltraClear low-iron float glass at maximum pull.”
"This is the first float furnace of its kind in technology and capacity for both Fives and Guardian Glass, and represent a notable milestone in the carbon emission reduction strategy for the glass business worldwide," says Alexandre Brusset, vice president of glass, Fives. “Our proven energy-efficient technology and tight collaboration with Guardian Glass during the project execution led to results that go beyond the industry standards.”
