Tolga Uysal is Director of Melting Technologies and Engineering at Şişecam Research and Development. He manages the team responsible for designing Şişecam Glass melting furnaces of various kinds such as float, container and tableware furnaces. Design studies comprise modelling and simulation with in-house developed Şişecam code, refractory and steelwork structure design and implementation on-site. Furnace efficiency, optimization and troubleshooting are also focus areas of his team as well as energy efficiency of auxiliary equipment and renewable energy and waste heat recovery.

He has been with Şişecam since 2006 and mainly specialized on furnace design, refractory materials and different melting technologies. Mr.Uysal is a chemical engineer, he holds an MSc. in Environmental Technologies from Bogaziçi University and an MBA degree from İstanbul Bilgi University.

Biography:

Çetin eğri, graduated metalurgıcal engıneer from Metu. He worked steel, ceramıc and glass ındustry. He has 26 years experıences ın glass ındustry and 10 years he ıs workıng for park cam. Sınce 2020 he ıs deputy general maneger posıtıon ın parkcam.

Biography:

Steve Whettingsteel is founder and CEO of Krysteline Technologies Ltd, developer of specialised engineered solutions for the waste management sector, particularly in the recovery and refinement of glass.

In the 1990s Steve was working as a marine engineer on cruise ships, there was an urgent need to change and develop the way glass recycling was being handled onboard. This led to him developing “glass implosion”, the unique, patented technology behind Krysteline’s machinery.

Since its formation in 1999 Krysteline has been exporting, with machines being sold around the world. Early customers including; the British Antarctic Survey, a laboratory in the Falkland Islands, super yachts, hotels and pharmaceutical companies.

Fast forward 20+ years and thanks to years of ongoing investment in research and development Krysteline has also developed an enviable reputation for high quality refined glass suitable for cullet, cement, foam glass, fertilizers, water filtration and expendable abrasives.

Abstract: Developing a Sustainable Glass Recycling System

We will look at the long chain CO₂ cost of the current glass recycling system and how innovation and progressive thinking is developing a clearer strategy for glass recycling, one focused on low CO₂ solutions and maximising glass recovery, recycling and reuse.

A system based on glass location, type, quality and market options, while understanding the complexities and market dynamics, will establish a fair and logical approach for improving cullet quality and quantity, and therefore increase revenue and investment opportunities of glass historically landfilled or used in low value markets.

Biography

Hasan is an Associate Director within the Chlor-Alkali/Vinyls Team with a focus on global Soda Ash Market Advisory Services.

Over 15 years in commercial roles, Hasan has acquired international experience in the chemicals industry, while holding various sales and business management roles. He engaged in diverse sectors which were using inorganic chemicals as raw materials and helped develop a portfolio of global clients.

Hasan spent over 10 years with Sisecam, a global glass and soda ash manufacturer, in its multiple locations managing international sales activities for their chromium chemicals. He spent 4 years in China, leading the regional business. Prior to joining in 2021, he spent 3 years working in trading in the UK, overseeing a range of basic chemicals and metals in the international markets.

Born in 1962 in Zurich (Switzerland), Rolf Hilfiker is the grandson of Pneumofore’s founder Jakob Hilfiker. After graduating in Economics at the University of Basel, in 1988 Rolf became financial manager and CEO in the family’s foundry business based in Italy. In 1989, he entered the board of directors of Pneumofore. He also worked in the banking sector in Switzerland and as sales manager for industrial groups operating in the casting and steel production sector. Since 2015, Rolf has been serving Pneumofore as Chief Financial Officer, at first, and Chief Executive Officer at present. In the 90’s, Rolf Hilfiker was President of the Young Entrepreneurs Group of the Industrial Employers’ Association in Turin (Italy), a member of the President’s Committee of the Industrial Employers’ Association as well as a council member of AMMA, the Italian Mechanical and Mechatronic Companies Association.

Biography:

Stuart has 58 years in the glass industry. He studied Glass Technology in England and worked in the United Kingdom with container plants affiliated to the O-I Group. He then returned to his native New Zealand as Manufacturing Manager at Crown Crystal Glass (part of the ACI Group in Australasia). Crown Crystal Glass made containers for the South Island as well as flacconage for export and tableware operations. He oversaw the conversion of the plant to all-electric melting from renewable hydro-generated power before being promoted to positions in Auckland, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other South Eastern destinations.

Stuart then moved to Melbourne to run the mould operations for ACI before going to China in a corporate role investigating possible joint venture partners prior to transferring to set-up and run the mould operations for their 5 operating plants based in Tianjin.

Stuart joined F.I.C. (UK) Limited as CEO in 1999 and has been there ever since.

Stuart has just ended his term as President of the Society of Glass Technology guiding it through the 3 years of the COVID pandemic.

F.I.C. (UK) Limited is a leading proponent of the de-carbonisation of the glass industry.

Abstract: The future of Glass Furnaces in a decarbonised world

The presentation will look at options that are available to the industry both immediately and requiring some development. It will look at the myths and technologies available and examine different paths forward.

Biography:

Gianluca Cera is a global technical leader with experience developing and implementing strategic glass initiatives with a focus on cost reduction and process improvement while maintaining customer quality and service. Gianluca Cera has a passion for creating competitive positions, optimizing market awareness, and increasing financial performance worldwide while developing and maintaining an outstanding reputation for quality and customer service.

Biography

Philippe, previously Regional Sales Manager EMEA – Glass for AMETEK Land, has over 20 years’ experience in high value, complex technical solution sales with specialities in glass, renewable energies, automotive, water filtration, energy production, gas turbines, automation, building automation and oil and gas. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering (Diploma of Higher education) associated to ESTACA degree (Aeronautics and Automotive Engineering school).

Abstract - Combining IMAGEPro Glass with NIR-B-2K Thermal imaging to Improve Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce NOx Emissions in Glass Furnace Applications

The IMAGEPro Version 2 is a PC based software with the ability to provide batch coverage functions and additionally to communicate natively with modbus, TCP and OPC UA, already covering a large part of the industrial protocols in the glass industry.

Operators can also check the visual information coming from the NIR-B-2K-Glass interface but can also use different information and connect the thermal imager to any PLC using a data acquisition and protocol conversion platform for DCS or SCADA control. Managing the batch length to control the crown temperature is becoming easier.

For batch monitoring and furnace control of a glass furnace to be most effective, the NIR-B-2K-Glass camera with the flexible IMagePro software should be integrated into the DCS control of the furnace and be connected to the existing PLC to provide data to a SCADA.

The AMETEK Land NIR-B-2K-Glass infrared borescope with Image Pro is the ideal tool for this.

Ametek LAND’s NIR-Borescope-2K-Glass infrared thermal imaging camera delivers high-definition images, with accurate temperature measurements at any of the three million temperature points in the thermal image providing accurate temperature profiling and continuous furnace monitoring for any set-up based on data exchange for SCADA.

Additionally, the application of relative isotherms within the image offers the ability to see which flames are typically hotter and give an indication of the flame length. Then, the NIR-B-2K combined to Lancom 4 (our portable gas analyser with 9 gas including O2 and CO ) is a perfect match to lower the carbon footprint and reinforce energy reduction.

Biography:

Neil Simpson Graduated from Napier in Edinburgh with a Bachelors in Energy Engineering and joined Laidlaw Drew in the Development Department.

The first ever “Simpson Burner” was developed to burn a Low Calorific Value gas from a wood sourced biomass so 30 years ahead of its time. It was an interesting time in combustion with the first oxy fuel glass furnaces being developed. Working closely with BOC helped develop a portfolio of conical and flat flame oxy oil and gas burners.

When approached to join a competing burner manufacturer BOC invited Neil to join their Toledo based Glass Team which was developing the CGM crown fired combustion. When Eclipse Combustion acquired the assets of Laidlaw Drew their due diligence revealed the products Neil had developed. Neil joined Eclipse in 2006 as Glass Industry Manager for Europe and worked out of his home office in the Scottish borders.

Neil briefly re-joined BOC to Head UK Glass, Steel, Cement and Combustion related applications. In 2014 Neil resigned from BOC to form Simpson Combustion and Energy Ltd a Consulting company supporting UK and Global Glass manufacturers and suppliers. In 2015 Neil became one of the CelSian registered trainers and organised UK based courses. In 2016 Neil started supporting AMETEK Land in promoting the use of in furnace thermal imaging.

With over 20 published patent applications, Neil is a Chartered Member of the Energy Institute, Member of the Institute of Refractory Engineers, Fellow of the Society of Glass Technology having Chaired MTC which organises Furnace Solutions and former Chair of Board of Fellows.

Abstract: How much CO2 are glass furnaces producing and why you may want to measure?

In 1990 when Neil Simpson joined Laidlaw Drew Combustion Engineers Ltd he was given responsibility for looking after the Development Department equipment which included gas analysers. For commissioning they used a simple Kaye and Maye %O2 and ppm CO however for burner development and NOx reduction we used a Testo33 which measured %O2, ppmCO,NO, NO2 and SO2. As electrochemical cells these were all dry measurements. In 1990 the cost of the analyser was the same price as a Vauxhall Astra! One summer Neil had an intern and built a transportable Zirconia probe with electric muffle furnace so they could measure %O2 wet. The portable hand held analysers all had a function where you selected the fuel type from a drop down menu. At first this seemed like a strange request since why would an instrument need to know the fuel type to measure %O2? The purpose for this was to calculate the CO2 and not measure it as many assume! The challenge with this is that the analyser assumes that the oxidant is air with 20.9% composition at sea level, the fuel is consistent with exact composition and the elephant in the room is that the process does not generate CO2. Clearly in glass applications there is CO2 from the batch and potentially any organics in the cullet.

Around 2000 when Neil was part of the BOC Glass Team, they saw the need to measure CO2 since this was the only way to determine air ingress in to oxy gas applications. At the time Neil purchased Siemens Ultramat 23 IR gas analysers. These were 19” rack mountable so barely transportable and not portable. One analyser measured %CO, ppm NO by IR with O2 by electrochemical. The other was %CO2 and ppm SO2. The heaviest part was the sample conditioning system. The instrumentation cost way more than the van we purchased to transport the equipment. When using liquid oxygen [LOx] If we measured %CO2, %O2 and %CO on a dry basis then the balance was the %N2 from the air ingress. If we were using oxygen from a VPSA then at 93% O2 purity there is a balance of approximately 50/50 Nitrogen to Argon. We would perform a test with the VPSA and also a second test with pure oxygen.

For decades the stack testing teams have typically included the %CO2 as an IR measurement. The chimney stack is a statutory sample location and is typically after the last point of air dilution. It is a single snapshot at a given pull rate. It is not uncommon to have two or more furnaces feeding the same stack.

On three occasions in 2022 as part of furnace optimisation for energy and CO2 reduction Neil has measured the %CO2 in the target wall and other access points within the abatement and exhaust system for multi-furnace installations. In addition to looking to EU ETS the presentation will show how CO2 measurement should be a part of the decarbonisation strategy.

Biography:

Andries is a highly experienced computational fluid dynamics specialist with 25 years of professional experience in the glass industry. After his studies in applied physics, he began his career at TNO, the Dutch research institute, as a simulation engineer and carried through to project manager when TNO Glass Group became CelSian Glass & Solar in 2012.

For the past eleven years, he has served as segment leader process optimization, responsible for all GTM-x and EBM customers around the world. Throughout his career, he has built an extensive experience in new builds, rebuilds and optimization studies of glass furnaces in all glass segments.

Active member of TC21, the International Committee on Glass’ technical committee for modelling of glass melts, he has published more than 15 papers for conferences and academics and is regularly invited to speak at conferences and provide workshops on furnace modelling and many other topics related to glass.

Abstract: Energy Balance Simulations to Quantify Energy/Cost savings

Glass companies are increasingly utilizing various solutions and tactics to try to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption in the short term. However, accurately quantifying these advancements is still an arduous task. That's where Energy Balance Simulations become vital as they enable glass companies to rapidly estimate their energy and carbon savings. This is made possible by auditing and benchmarking companies’ glass furnaces against furnaces from around the globe.

That way, Energy Balance modelers can quickly gain insights regarding their furnaces’ performances and make thoughtful decisions that maximize energy savings.

Biography:

Oscar Verheijen obtained his PhD from Eindhoven Technical University before joining TNO as an R&D project manager and business development manager of sustainable technologies, he is now leading the R&D activities and is responsible for CelSian’s laboratory services.

In addition, Oscar is chairman of GlassTrend, a member of the steering committee of the Dutch Glass Association (VNG), secretary of the technical committee of the Dutch glass industry (NCNG) and represents the VNG at the European level.

Abstract: Energy Balance Simulations to Quantify Energy/Cost savings

Glass companies are increasingly utilizing various solutions and tactics to try to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption in the short term. However, accurately quantifying these advancements is still an arduous task. That's where Energy Balance Simulations become vital as they enable glass companies to rapidly estimate their energy and carbon savings. This is made possible by auditing and benchmarking companies’ glass furnaces against furnaces from around the globe.

That way, Energy Balance modelers can quickly gain insights regarding their furnaces’ performances and make thoughtful decisions that maximize energy savings.