Improving the energy efficiency of drying installations with the use of modern low-energy dryers

Research project conducted by the Research Alliance of the Clay Brick and Tile Industry Regd. (FGZ)

Project number
AiF 15401 N
Project funded by
BMWi through the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations “Otto von Guericke” Regd. (AiF)
Implemented by
Brick Research Institute Essen Regd. (IZF)
Project manager
Dr.-Ing. Anne Tretau

1 Background

In industrial countries green clay bricks and tiles are dried convectively with hot air produced by burners or other types of artificial energy supply. Drying is therefore associated with a considerable fossil energy requirement. The specific energy requirement for green clay brick and tile drying currently accounts for the highest single item in the total energy required for clay brick and tile production.

2 Explanation of the problem

In the scope of this research work, therefore, the highly innovative modified open-air or low-energy drying is introduced. Prerequisite for this is...

Issue 05/2013

Energy-saving methods of conditioning green brick bodies for low-temperature drying

1 Context and formulation of problem Low-temperature drying is a modified form of open-air drying with the aid of modern plant and control technology. In heavy clay production, the introduction of...

Issue 02/2010

Concepts for reducing the loss of exhaust air from dryers in the clay brick and tile industry

1 Initial situation and problem description More than half of the energy used in the production of clay bricks and tiles is currently used for drying green bricks and tiles. The hot air needed for...

Issue 6/2011

Enhancement of the hydrostatic capillary tension in wet brick green bodies for a reduced susceptibility to cracking during drying

1 Context and problem statement After shaping, brick green bodies exist as capillary-porous solids, the pores of which are filled with water and which are enclosed by a water sheath. Capillary suction...

Issue 6/2017

Short-term heat storage in the clay brick and tile industry

For some years now, it has been established in the clay brick and tile industry that asynchrony between kiln and dryer operation leads to energy losses of 10 to 30 %. The possibility of balancing out...

Issue 08/2014

Energy-conserving method for obtaining highly porous structures in brick clay

Context and formulation of problem Vertically perforated clay bricks are highly porosity enhanced wall-building masonry units displaying low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of stuffed...