Microwave Drying of Bricks and Tiles

Information

Bricks belong to the oldest building materials, which are still in frequent use and of great importance. Traditional convective drying methods typically used in nowadays manufacturing processes rely on fossil fuels, producing a heavy carbon footprint.

Microwave drying offers potential for electrification and process intensification, allowing faster, more energy-efficient drying with less environmental impact. Our research addresses the challenges of uneven heating, hot spots, and mechanical stress in brick blanks. By examining the interaction between electromagnetic radiation, material properties, and airflow, we aim to optimize the drying process. The findings will support the industrial application of scalable microwave dryers, contributing to energy efficiency and climate-neutral production.

The drying behaviour of different types of bricks and tiles is examined in a technical-scale microwave dryer. (Image: TPM Research Group)

Partners

• Dr. rer. nat. Ralf Wagner
  Dr.-Ing. Anne Tretau
  Materialforschungs- und -prüfanstalt an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
  Coudraystraße 9
  99423 Weimar
  Homepage | LinkedIn

Publications

• Vorhauer-Huget, N., Briest, L., Wagner, R., Tretau, A., Rahimi, A., & Tsotsas, E. (2022). Using microwave heating for electrification of the drying of green heavy clay products. Ziegelindustrie International. https://www.zi-online.info/

• Briest, L., Wagner, R., Tretau, A., Tsotsas, E., & Vorhauer-Huget, N. (2022). Microwave-assisted drying of clay roof tiles. Drying Technology, 40(9), 1804–1818. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2021.1878369

• Briest, L., Tsotsas, E., & Vorhauer-Huget, N. (2021). Experimentelle Untersuchung der Mikrowellentrocknung von Sanitärkeramiken. Keramische Zeitschrift, 73(2), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42410-021-0472-5

• Vorhauer, N., Tretau, A., Bück, A., & Prat, M. (2019). Microwave drying of wet clay with intermittent heating. Drying Technology, 37(5), 664–678. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2018.1547740

Projects

• Influence of process control on the energy requirements of microwave dryers (Einfluss der Prozessführung auf den Energiebedarf von Mikrowellentrocknern).
  2024 – 2026
  Funded by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action) as part of the Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag – IGF 01IF23309 N.

• Intermittent microwave drying for the brick and tile industry.
  2020 – 2022
  Funded by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action) as part of the Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag – IGF 20919 BG.