INSPIRING MEETINGS AND INNOVATIONS: OUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE 64TH INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING FAIR
23. 10. 2023
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We are happy to bring you news about our recent participation in the prestigious 64th International Engineering Fair, which took place near our headquarters in Brno. The Engineering Testing Institute shared the representative stand "Czech National Exhibition" together with eleven other institutions, where we could present ourselves to a wide audience. Our main attraction was the demonstration of the thermal camera, which caught the attention of many visitors.
An inspiring meeting
During the fair, we had the opportunity to meet a number of interesting companies and their representatives. We were honored to discuss innovative technologies, share know-how and establish new business contacts. These meetings allowed us not only to present our services, but also to learn from the rich experience and perspectives of our colleagues from a wide range of fields.
Our participation in this international fair provided us with an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our position on the market, expand our network of business partners and introduce ourselves to the professional public. We are full of enthusiasm and gratitude for all the valuable experiences and new opportunities this event has brought us.
Fair in numbers
This year's fair was very successful, almost 60,000 people visited the fair over four days. 1,312 exhibiting companies (from 43 countries) took part and occupied a respectable 10 pavilions of the Brno exhibition center. We thank everyone for the nice meetings and we look forward to future cooperation with our new partners.
In the Thermal and Environmental Laboratory we are part of the fascinating future of energy, specifically in the issue of hydrogen combustion in gas appliances. We approached our experienced colleague Milan Holomek, who has been leading a team testing this technology for several years.
Join us in discovering the future of hydrogen combustion in gas appliances in a report we have prepared together with the Guild of Heating and Plumbing Engineers, of which we are a member, and in whose current publication you will find the full interview, including seminars and news from the TIC sector, or from the world of testing, inspection and certification.
Interview "about hydrogen"
Hydrogen is gaining more attention as one of the interesting solutions for a more sustainable and energy future. Milan Holomek, Head of the Laboratory of Thermal and Environmental Equipment at the Engineering Test Institute in Brno, has been actively involved in the use of hydrogen in the energy sector for several years and will help us explore its potential for environmental and economic efficiency.
How long have you been involved in this innovative technology and what do you see as its greatest importance?
We have been working on the topic in our lab for over three years, and overall, adding hydrogen to the mixture for combustion in gas appliances has the potential to make a significant contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for the energy sector, and also has the potential to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Why are we even talking about hydrogen?
As part of the European Green Deal, the European Union has committed to start "greening" natural gas (G20) by adding hydrogen in the coming years. This is to be followed by a switch to hydrogen only. By greening, it is meant that natural gas, as a fossil fuel, will be replaced by hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable sources - e.g. from waste electricity from photovoltaic or wind power plants.
Are there any other benefits of burning a gas/hydrogen mixture besides the environmental aspect?
Adding hydrogen to the gas mixture can increase the energy efficiency of combustion. Hydrogen has a higher flammability than other gases, which means it can be used more efficiently and achieve more energy release with lower emissions. The benefits therefore include in particular a reduction in CO2, CO and NOx emissions compared to concentrated natural gas.
Are appliance manufacturers reacting to this?
Manufacturers are slowly starting to prepare for this transition. And we are also ready and doing testing for the manufacturers. Currently, the first major milestone being considered is a 20% hydrogen concentration in natural gas. This level is based on the fact that most products that have been designed to burn concentrated natural gas can tolerate concentrations of up to 20% hydrogen very well, even without the need for further design modifications to the appliances.
Do you test the adaptability of gas appliances to hydrogen admixture in your laboratory?
Yes, our gas appliance testing laboratory offers testing and certification of gas appliances burning natural gas with hydrogen admixture in addition to standard gases and gas mixtures defined by gas categories according to EN 437. Optionally, we can prepare other mixtures with hydrogen content in natural gas in addition to the 20% mixture. In the case of boilers, we offer measurements up to 2 MW. The principle is that we offer verification of the product design to ensure that it is fully adaptable to combust natural gas with up to 20% hydrogen in the mixture, without additional modifications to the appliance. Of course, we are also available for other specific requirements for testing and product design.
What specifically are you testing?
During the tests, we check the influence of the power input (due to lower calorific value), we test the ignition, flame propagation and stability (there should be no pulsation, backfiring, flame flight in both hot and cold conditions). We test safety conditions (blocking of flue gas exhaust and combustion air intake), we check safety times (for ignition and extinguishment), we make a special test of the resistance of the burner structure due to deliberate ignition and flame burning on the burner nozzle, we measure emissions (CO2, O2, CO and NOx), etc.
What is the output of your tests?
Testing reports are always the basis, which can be followed by other output documents such as assessment reports, final reports and possibly certificates or attestations.
As the legislative background is still under development, the current certification is more commercial. By certifying its products, the manufacturer thus declares that it is engaged in this modern trend and is thinking about the future needs of the market and the requirements of its customers. Our certification is based on specific tests and findings which provide evidence of a certain degree of guarantee of trouble-free behaviour of the products certified in this way.
However, users of the appliances must not forget about regular service inspections. The certificate does not guarantee safety throughout the lifetime of the product.
Do you monitor other innovations in the field of thermal technology that will affect household energy in the future?
We are following many development paths. In our labs we also conduct non-accredited tests as part of some manufacturers' development tests, but for obvious reasons I cannot disclose these. There is a continuing boom in heat pumps, with efficiency improvements, reduced noise emissions and new refrigerants (after R32, it's now R290, more commonly known as propane). The drive to produce equipment that will reduce its environmental impact beyond its useful life continues. The trend towards local pellet or wood-fired sources continues, especially stoves, fireplaces and in some regions, cookstoves. There is also great interest in biomass boilers, which, thanks to the renewable status of biomass, fit very well into the energy mix of heating and hot water sources.
What else can you offer thermal technology manufacturers?
We offer comprehensiveness - we can test the product for electrical safety, noise emissions, pressure safety and performance. Manufacturers don't have to take their products to multiple locations, they can find a complete service with us. Our experts will carefully guide them through the entire product certification process.
The interview was published in a publication of the Guild of Heating Engineers and Plumbers. Read more at https://cechtop.cz
SZU will again present itself at this year's International Engineering Fair in Brno!
We would like to announce with pleasure that we will participate in the prestigious International Engineering Fair (MSV Brno) this year. MSV Brno is the most important industrial fair in Central Europe. Just like last year, the Engineering Testing Institute will be part of the Czech National Exhibition this year.
We would like to invite all our business partners, suppliers and interested parties to visit our exhibition space, where we will present interesting things from the TIC sector.
What can you look forward to?
Our exhibition will once again offer the opportunity to try a thermal camera, and this year we are adding an acoustic camera. We will be happy to answer all your questions and discuss the possibilities of business cooperation. The main theme of the fair is Industry 4.0, the digital factory and the circular economy. We look forward to your visit!
When and where does the event take place?
10 – 13 October 2023
BVV Brno - Výstaviště 405/1, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Hall P | Stand 9 - Česká národní expozice (Czech National Exposition)
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