(Herzogenrath / Germany) – Nivelsteiner Sandwerke und Sandsteinbrüche GmbH, based in Herzogenrath, plans to test the industrial drying of quartz sands using hydrogen – a key raw material for glass manufacturers, foundries, and the construction chemicals industry. Currently, the company uses light heating oil for the drying process in rotating kilns, which it intends to replace.
The quartz sand is dried at around 100 to 130 degrees Celsius before delivery to customers. © Forschungszentrum Jülich / Clarissa Reisen
A preliminary study is now developing concepts for using renewable energies – including climate-friendly electricity and hydrogen – as a heat source for energy-intensive drying processes. Part of the study considers supplying sites without access to a hydrogen pipeline. Here, hydrogen derivatives could be used, which are easier to transport and store.
Currently, quartz sand is dried in rotating kilns using light heating oil as an energy source. “HySand” aims to develop climate-friendly alternatives. © FH Aachen / Arnd Gottschalk
The demonstration project, called "HySand," is led by the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (IHE) at the Jülich Research Centre. The project was initiated by Uwe Feuerriegel from the Thermal Energy Technology department at Aachen University of Applied Sciences. The drying process is calculated and optimized at the university. RWTH Aachen University is also involved, developing an online concept for the continuous monitoring of the process.
The preliminary study should be completed in one year.
DTG GmbH Development & Technology and IHE are preparing both a cost estimate and a business plan, and developing steps for transferring the project results to industrial applications. Furthermore, IHE is using simulations to compare the various versions of the climate-friendly drying process with regard to cost and environmental impact. The results of the preliminary study are expected by mid-2027. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the project with €593.000.
“In the course of the energy transition, we want to set the course early for our company and implement climate-friendly processing steps,” says Sandwerke Managing Director Bernhard Russel: “This is how we make our production future-proof.”
Photo above
Nivelsteiner Sandwerke und Sandsteinbrüche GmbH, based in Herzogenrath, extracts high-purity quartz sand and markets it to glass manufacturers, foundries, and the chemical industry. © Cologne District Government / Dominik Ketz
