Hydrogen for Brickworks: Lab-scale Experiment (Phase 2)

R&D Focus Areas:
Pipeline materials and performance, Gas networks and appliances 

Lead Organisation:
Murdoch University

Partners:
Austral Brickworks

Status:
Active

Start date:
January 2025

Completion date:
July 2026

Key contacts:
Dr Martin Anda – M.Anda@murdoch.edu.au
Dr GM Shafiullah – GM.Shafiullah@murdoch.edu.au
Dr Furat Dawood – Furat.Dawood@nurdoch.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$35,000 – Murdoch University – Austral Brickworks (phase 2)

Project total cost:
Not applicable

Project summary description:
Brickworks procures its kiln gas from the natural gas network, and some states in Australia have plans to inject hydrogen, initially at 2%, then to 10%, and longer-term targets of 50-100%. Brickworks seeks to understand the effect of, and ability to use hydrogen in the brickmaking process. In a phase 1 study, a desktop literature review and site visits were undertaken in order to consider previous work on hydrogen blending into natural gas, modifications required to the burners and nozzles, changes in the temperature of the kiln, and the effect on brick colour and rigidity. Phase 1 is completed.

Based on phase 1 findings, phase 2 is a design of a Lab-scale experiment to try the most cost-effective option and the effect of hydrogen on the final product (quality) that leads to phase 3, a trial project.

Related publications and key links:
Not applicable. 

Higher degree studies supported:
Not applicable.

 

March 2025