ete specialises in designing customised solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client. The growing concern with energy savings has led clients to adopt electric Joule-effect boilers in their industrial plants, recognising the importance of reducing operational costs and minimising environmental impact.
Recently, ete was once again selected by a multinational company pioneering in “energy glass” technology, which serves as a base for photovoltaic panels. This project involved the manufacture and supply of an electric boiler for the company’s new plant, aiming to enhance production efficiency and sustainability.
ete is known for its ability to design and manufacture bespoke equipment, serving a wide range of industrial sectors. ete’s product range covers outputs from 2 to 6,000 kW, offering high flexibility and adaptability. This new equipment not only addresses a specific need but also contributes to more efficient and sustainable production processes.
The electric boiler supplied, model GPI 69/3, has a power output of 81 kW and was built with a tank and resistors made of AISI 316L stainless steel, known for its high corrosion resistance and durability. This equipment is used to heat demineralised (osmosis-treated) water, which is essential in the cleaning process of tempered glass. This step is key to ensuring the glass meets the high-quality standards required by the energy glass industry.
The boiler was designed to operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that production is never interrupted. This uninterrupted operation is critical in industrial environments, where equipment efficiency and reliability are essential for successful operations.
This is the second boiler ete has supplied to this multinational. The first unit, with similar features and slightly lower output, was delivered in 2017 for a different plant. The continuation of this partnership reinforces the trust placed in the quality and performance of ete’s electric boilers.
In the sections below, we take a closer look at how this technology can impact the energy glass industry, exploring several key aspects.
PRINCIPLE OF THE JOULE EFFECT
The Joule effect is a physical phenomenon that occurs when an electric current passes through a conductor, generating heat. This principle is widely used in electric boilers, which convert electrical energy directly and efficiently into heat. Unlike traditional heating systems that may suffer energy losses during conversion, electric Joule-effect boilers offer a highly efficient heating method, allowing nearly all available energy to be utilised.
OSMOTIC HEATING
Osmotic heating is a concept that involves the use of osmotic solutions to optimise heat transfer in industrial processes. In the context of electric boilers, this means that osmotically treated water can be used to generate steam or heat other fluids in a closed system, maximising heat exchange efficiency. This method not only improves heating efficiency but also reduces heat loss, making the entire process more sustainable.
IMPACT ON ENERGY GLASS PRODUCTION
Increased Energy Efficiency: Glass production requires processes that reach very high temperatures, often exceeding 1,700 °C. Electric boilers’ ability to heat water quickly and efficiently ensures that necessary temperatures are consistently reached. By employing osmotic heating, it is possible to reduce heating time and minimise energy consumption, resulting in glass production that uses fewer resources.
Reduced Operational Costs: With improved energy efficiency, operational costs associated with energy glass production can be significantly reduced. Lower energy consumption to heat water translates into reduced electricity bills, representing a considerable saving for companies. This cost reduction makes energy glass production more competitive compared to other methods of energy or material production.
Sustainability and Emissions Reduction: Integrating efficient electric boilers helps reduce the carbon footprint of the production process. By using electricity, especially from renewable sources, energy glass production becomes significantly more sustainable than methods reliant on fossil fuels. Besides facilitating compliance with stricter environmental regulations, this approach enhances company image among consumers increasingly concerned with sustainable practices.
Product Quality and Uniformity: Precise temperature control during production is crucial to ensure the quality of energy glass. Osmotic heating provides uniform heat distribution, minimising defects or imperfections in the manufactured glass. This uniformity is especially important in applications requiring high transparency and light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. High-quality energy glass is essential to guarantee the effectiveness and longevity of photovoltaic systems.
Innovation, Research and Development: Adoption of advanced technologies, such as ete’s electric boilers, fosters innovation in the glass industry. As more companies adopt these solutions, motivation to invest in R&D grows, aiming to optimise production processes. This effort can lead to significant discoveries and breakthroughs that not only enhance efficiency but also introduce new materials and methods capable of revolutionising energy glass production.
Integration in Sustainable Projects: Energy glass production using electric Joule‑effect boilers can be seamlessly integrated into sustainable building projects. Buildings incorporating energy glass benefit not only from self‑generated power but also from maximising energy efficiency across all levels. This virtuous circle enables glass production to contribute to the sustainability of buildings, which in turn promote wider adoption of energy glass.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the use of electric Joule-effect boilers from the company ete to heat osmotically treated water represents a significant step forward in energy glass production. This approach not only enhances efficiency and reduces operational costs, but also promotes sustainability and ensures the quality of the final product.
Furthermore, this technology can serve as a model for other industries seeking to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. As research and development in this area continue to progress, further innovations are likely to emerge, leading to even more efficient and sustainable processes.
Thus, the adoption of ete’s electric boilers for osmotic heating in energy glass production is not just a technical upgrade, but also a relevant step towards a more sustainable future—one in which construction and architecture are aligned with clean energy and efficiency goals. The positive impact of this technology is felt across multiple levels, from cost reduction to contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.
The choice of ete as a supplier to the energy glass sector highlights its dedication to innovation and reliability. This project reinforces ete’s commitment to modernising and improving industrial processes, underlining its key role in transforming the industry. The company promotes an approach that combines efficiency, sustainability, and technical excellence, helping industries adopt more efficient and sustainable heating solutions. In doing so, ete contributes to a technologically advanced and environmentally responsible future.
