Lessons Learned from Hydrogen Testing in Glass Production with Hydrogen Tube Trailers as a Supply Method: A Multiple Case Study

Hydrogen combustion is a promising technology that has emerged as an alternative to natural gas use in glass production, offering a pathway to decarbonize the industry. However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen faces challenges, including high demand and long production times for electrolyzers, which hinder rapid scale-up. As a practical alternative, hydrogen can be supplied via tube trailers, though large-scale testing and empirical insights remain limited in both practice and research. This study applied a multiple-case study approach to investigate the feasibility of scaling hydrogen use in glass production through tube trailers, focusing on two distinct glass industries. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen is a viable substitute for natural gas in short-term, large-scale tests, requiring only minor supply modifications. Moreover, the transition does not necessitate significant changes to furnace operations, nor does it adversely affect glass quality or emissions of harmful gases. These insights contribute to advancing the practical application of hydrogen in the glass industry and highlight key considerations for its integration.