Do you know that 17% of global carbon dioxide emissions happen due to fossil fuel burning? Well, this factor comes under the consideration of experts. A promising solution focusing on industrial heat has been adopted through firebricks, a Bronze Age technology.
What is Bronze Age technology?
Firebricks are considered a Bronze Age technology that was used in the ancient period to store heat. Firebricks are a type of refractory brick capable of withstanding high temperatures without damage. These firebricks were traditionally used to insulate kilns and furnaces thousands of years ago. Research from Standford suggests that by using firebricks they will store renewable energy at the industrial level.
The research highlights that using excess renewable electricity to generate and store industrial process heat in firebricks, the bronze age technology, will be cost-efficient. This approach of the bronze age technology could significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for industrial processes and help transition the world to clean, renewable energy by 2050.
The lead of the study, Mark Z. Jacobson, said, “The difference between firebrick storage and battery storage is that firebricks store heat rather than electricity and are one-tenth the cost of batteries.” He also added, “The materials are much simpler, too. They are just the components of dirt.”
Current heat generation method in factories
Currently, most of the manufacturing factories are generating heat by combustion of coal, oil, fossil gas and bio-mass. The manufacturing factories also invested in various electric heating technologies such as electric resistance furnaces and boilers, electric arc furnaces, electric induction furnaces, electron beam heaters, dielectric heaters, and electric heat pumps. However, because of these, air pollution is happening as an excessive amount of carbon dioxide is emitted into the air.
Industries often require extremely high temperatures for manufacturing. The production of cement needs at least 1,300°C (2,400°F). The production of iron, glass and steel needs 1,000°C (1,800°F) or higher temperature. All these activities generate 17% of carbon dioxide emissions in the air leading to health concerns among people.
“It’s often said in our field that ‘if you want hot showers, store hot water, and if you want cold drinks, store ice’; so this study can be summarized as ‘if you need heat for industry, store it in firebricks” said by Daniel Sambor, the co-author of Jacobson and a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering.
Standford study
The researchers of Standford conducted a comprehensive study to analyze the potential benefits of bronze age technology, such as firebrick use, in a future where all energy needs are met by wind, geothermal, hydropower, and solar sources. Jacobson highlights, “Ours is the first study to examine a large-scale transition of renewable energy with firebricks as part of the solution. We found that firebricks enable a faster and lower-cost transition to renewables, and that helps everyone in terms of health, climate, jobs, and energy security.”
The researchers analysed the impact of the bronze age technology on 149 countries by 2050 through a computer model. Two scenarios are explored by the research team. 90% industrial heat reduction has been seen in the first scenario by using the Bronze Age technology. Whereas in the second one zero adoption of firebricks or other thermal energy has been seen.
The research team also discovered that a saving of $1.27 trillion in capital can appear across 149 countries with the first scenario with the integration of bronze age technology. This substantial cost savings is attributed to the lower demand for energy from the grid and the reduced need for battery storage capacity.
The firebricks’ role in clean energy
The current world is transiting towards clean energy whether it is for industrial growth or public health. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), 7 million premature deaths are caused annually at the global level due to air pollution from fossil fuel burning.
Firebricks can store the industrial process heat from renewable sources like wind and solar. The bronze age technology can reduce the demand for expensive battery storage and replace fossil fuels with renewable electricity so that millions of lives can be saved in future.
Jacobson said, “What excites me is that the impact is very large, whereas a lot of technologies that I’ve looked at, they have marginal impacts. Here I can see a substantial benefit at low cost from multiple angles, from helping to reduce air pollution mortality to making it easier to transition the world to clean renewables.”
FAQ
What is Bronze Age technology?
Firebricks are considered a Bronze Age technology that was used in the ancient period to store heat.
What are Firebricks?
Firebricks are a type of refractory brick capable of withstanding high temperatures without damage. These firebricks are traditionally used for insulating kilns and furnaces thousands of years ago.
Is Bronze Age technology bringing revolution?
Yes. 90% industrial heat reduction has been seen in the first scenario by using the Bronze Age technology in 149 countries by 2050, which can lead to the minimisation of air pollution.
How many people face premature death because of air pollution?
7 million premature deaths are caused annually at the global level due to air pollution from fossil fuel burning.
How much the Bronze Age technology can save in industrial heat storage?
A saving of $1.27 trillion in capital can appear across 149 countries with the first scenario with the integration of bronze age technology.
What technologies are currently used in factories to heat generate?
The manufacturing factories also invested in various electric heating technologies such as electric resistance furnaces and boilers, electric arc furnaces, electric induction furnaces, electron beam heaters, dielectric heaters, and electric heat pumps.
How much temperature is required to produce cement?
The production of cement needs at least 1,300°C (2,400°F).
How do Firebricks work to reduce air pollution?
Firebricks can store the industrial process heat from renewable sources like wind and solar and replace fossil fuels with renewable electricity so that millions of lives can be saved in future.
