Brick kilns in Bangladesh to use clean energy

The brick kiln industry in Bangladesh is all set to go green after the Denmark government and World Bank signed two agreements. These deals will pave the way for adoption of new technologies and purchase of greenhouse gas emissions reductions at various stages of production and construction.

Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IIDFC) Limited recently signed two agreements with the Denmark government and World Bank to help brick making sector use efficient and clean energy.

Brick making in Bangladesh is a highly energy-intensive and carbon-emitting activity and one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated to be around 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, said a statement.

The World Bank and Denmark will buy 189,000 and 60,000 emission reductions respectively. IIDFC will act as the overall agent for the 20 brick kiln owners to sell the emission reductions.

The deals will pave the way for purchasing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from 20 energy efficient Hybrid Hoffman Kilns (HHK) at various stages of production and construction.

The HHKs use 50% less coal than the regular brick kilns. The coal fired HHKs will reduce green house gas emissions and other air pollutants.

The project involves a community benefit plan, ensuring social improvement for the employees in the brick making sector such as making first aid room with regular visit by a medical practitioner, sanitary facilities and safety gears available.

“These agreements are important as Bangladesh adopts new technologies that are better for the environment and particularly that improve air quality,” said Robert Floyd, acting country director of World Bank.

“The HHK owners can now earn revenues from sources, making and selling bricks and generating emission reductions and at the same time earn foreign exchange for the country. We are hopeful that this scheme will encourage other brick kiln owners to adopt HHK technology, which offers multiple benefits,” said Md Matiul Islam, chairman of IIDFC.

“Denmark is delighted to participate in this project. It shows how clean development mechanism can ensure greenhouse gas reductions and lead to sustainable development through social and environmental improvements in the host area,” said Ulla Blatt Bendtsen, deputy programme director of Danish Energy Agency.

The HHK design combines a highly efficient kiln technology. Furthermore, wet clay and pulverised coal are mixed together when the brick is being made.

The wet bricks are then first dried in a drying chamber using waste heat from the firing chamber.

The dried bricks are then loaded into the firing chamber. In the firing chamber, the coal inside of the dry bricks then ignites and bakes the bricks.
The combined use of waste heat and the internal combustion of coal reduce coal consumption per brick and greenhouse gas emissions. The project will reduce estimated 881,000 tonnes of CO2 during project time till 2020.

Source : The Daily Star