Höfer Metall Technik (HMT) has successfully completed production trials using hydrogen in an aluminium melting furnace at its facility in Hettstedt, Germany. The trials form part of the HyAlu research project, which examines the technical feasibility, safety and efficiency of integrating hydrogen into existing aluminium production processes.
The project investigates how changing the fuel source affects the melting process, aluminium quality and material properties. Approved for funding in 2024 by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, HyAlu brings together HMT, Jasper, the Gas and Heat Institute Essen (GWI), Bloom Engineering Company, the University of Magdeburg and Nippon Sanso Europe.
For the trials, HMT’s existing two-burner melting furnace was modified to operate with hydrogen. The burner system, with a heating capacity of approximately 2.2 MW, received certification from TÜV before commissioning.
The tests used natural gas blended with hydrogen at concentrations ranging from 45% to approximately 100%. According to the project partners, the system operated stably across the tested fuel mixtures. 
Jasper handled the hydrogen supply infrastructure, burner regulation and modifications to the existing control system. The company also reported that switching between fuels or mixing them could be achieved without additional downtime after the initial modifications.
Source: Höfer with additional information added by Glass Balkan
