World's First Superheated Steam Dryer for Facing Bricks
CEE partnered with Vandersanden to deliver the world’s first hybrid superheated steam dryer for facing bricks. This groundbreaking installation combines waste heat reuse with smart electrification to cut energy use and costs. With 85% less energy in the steam phase and 55% total energy cost savings, it sets a new benchmark in the industry. Designed for flexibility, efficiency, and safety — this is cleantech engineered for long-term impact.
CEE decarbonizes Vandersanden’s brick drying in Beek
- Turnkey execution and in-house manufacturing
- World’s first hybrid superheated steam dryer for facing bricks
- 85% reduction in drying energy during superheated steam drying phase
- 55% energy cost savings
- 24,000 tonnes/year of water recovered
- 40 million bricks/year capacity
- 3 MW installed drying capacity
Decarbonizing Brick Drying Through Innovation
Vandersanden, a leading European brick manufacturer, wanted to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of its factory in Beek, The Netherlands. Brick drying is among the most energy-intensive steps in the process, and demanded a radical innovation to make real progress.
CEE developed and delivered the world’s first hybrid superheated steam dryer for facing bricks, a pioneering system that intelligently combines free waste heat from the kiln with superheated steam to optimize energy efficiency and product quality. The solution was the result of a complete CEE roadmap: from decarbonization strategy to real-life testing, detailed engineering, and turnkey installation.
The project exemplifies CEE’s full-scope cleantech methodology: design integrated in the full process, rooted in deep product knowledge. It ensures a smarter, cleaner, and more resilient operation — fit for the future.
Hybrid Design for Maximum Efficiency
The system uses free waste heat from the kiln for the first drying phase. When waste heat is no longer available, superheated steam takes over. The result: 85% less drying energy in the steam phase and a drying efficiency of 0.85 kWh/kg evaporated water. A high-temperature heat pump with COP 4.5 ensures energy savings, while backup gas burners offer peak load flexibility.
Smarter Drying, Better Bricks
The installation delivers improved drying speed and consistent product quality, thanks to precise, real-time process control. Fully automated and unmanned, it is inherently safe with no combustion during core drying. It recovers 24,000 tonnes of water annually through full condensation.
CEE Method from A to Z
CEE led the project end-to-end: decarbonization roadmap, lab testing, detailed design, construction, and commissioning. The system includes the dryer, heat pump, thermal buffering, automation, and feed-in/out systems. Designed with flexibility, sustainability, and lowest total cost of ownership in mind.
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