UK research could cut emissions

Scientists at Glass Technology Services have demonstrated techniques that could drastically cut carbon emissions and save the glassmaking industry £millions every year by using waste ash from biomass power plants.

Research in the laboratories in Sheffield has shown that using the ash could cut carbon emissions and replace up to a fifth of the conventional mined and man-made raw materials used to make glass (sand, soda ash and limestone).

UK biomass power plants currently produce more than one million tons of waste ash a year.

Researchers are now looking at how they can make the process more efficient, demonstrating to glass manufacturers that they can make quality glass using waste ash, which melts at lower temperatures thus saving energy costs, and at the same time cut down on CO₂ emissions.

This could give a massive boost to the manufacture of flat glass used in the construction industry.

Glass Technology Services (GTS) is leading two collaborative projects in this area. The first, funded by a £508,000 grant from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, is looking to develop glass products for the coloured container glass sector. The second, with a £494,000 grant from Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency, is looking at how the ash could be used in a broader range of applications, including float glass, glass wool and high value ceramics.

Both projects are researching how to reduce the glass melting point, cutting the energy required to make the glass, and CO₂ emissions.

Although the UK glass industry is among the most efficient in the world, it generates more than two million tonnes of CO₂ a year from burning fossil fuels to power furnaces and from the unavoidable release of CO₂ from raw materials such as limestone during the melting process.

The industry has increased productivity and cut carbon emissions by 54% since 1979.

Rob Ireson, leader of the GTS innovation team, said: “Our research could mean potential savings to the UK glass industry of £1.6 million a year in energy costs, and CO₂ savings of around 10%.

“Other benefits include less emissions, reducing the impact of mining, and the amount of hazardous waste sent to landfill.”