Digitalization in Foam Glass Production

Purpose and goal:

The main goals, to have planned for digitalisation of the manufacturing process, and to have evaluated a couple of particularly important measurements, thickness and temperature of the foam glass during manufacture, have been met. The feasibility study proposes a path towards data-driven process optimization. A further investigation of radar technology for thickness measurement in the furnaces is also proposed.

On the other hand, it is currently not considered a priority to continue temperature measurement in the foam glass with optical fiber. Expected results and effects:

The results of the initial analysis of process data show that optimal operation could increase productivity by about 20%, which would correspond 20 MSEK in margin improvement. By replacing competing products, this would also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2100-7200 tonnes/year. Hasopor plans to more than triple its production, which would increase the effects.

The results also suggest that radar measurement of the thickness of the glass has potential for providing important data for optimization. Approach and implementation:

The project has had two main parts. One being the evaluation of techniques for temperature and thickness measurement of the foam glass during the process. This involved experiments both in the process furnaces during production and in laboratories.

The other consisted of the analysis of historical process data, both manually and automatically collected, and the formulation of a plan towards data-driven process optimization. Hasopor has provided the process know-how, the process data, and enabled experiments, while RISE has contributed with technology-specific competence.