Asphalt Burner Services Ltd (ABS) played a key technical role in the Bay Hydrogen Hub project, delivering one of the UK’s first successful demonstrations of hydrogen-fired asphalt production. The project represented a significant milestone for both the wider decarbonisation of the asphalt industry and for ABS as a company.
Phase 1 – 4 MW Hydrogen Burner Testing
The project began with an extensive development and validation programme using ABS’s dedicated burner test facility. Operating at outputs of up to 4 MW, the test rig enabled engineers to evaluate:
- Stable hydrogen combustion characteristics
- Burner performance across varying operating conditions
- Flame stability and control systems
- Combustion efficiency
- Safety systems and operational procedures
- Emissions performance prior to site deployment
This controlled testing phase provided the confidence and technical data required before progressing to full-scale industrial operation.
Phase 2 – Live Asphalt Production at Criggion Quarry
Following successful validation, the burner technology was deployed at Criggion Quarry, Wales, where live production trials were undertaken on a commercial asphalt plant.
The trials demonstrated that hydrogen could successfully fuel asphalt production while maintaining the operational performance expected from conventional fuel systems. Importantly, the project proved that advanced burner technology could integrate with existing asphalt manufacturing processes, providing a practical pathway towards reducing carbon emissions within the industry.
Project Significance
The Bay Hydrogen Hub project established an important benchmark for Asphalt Burner Services Ltd by demonstrating the company’s ability to:
- Design and commission industrial-scale hydrogen burner systems.
- Successfully transition from laboratory testing to live production.
- Support the decarbonisation of energy-intensive manufacturing.
- Deliver innovative combustion solutions for future low-carbon infrastructure.
For ABS, the project marked a defining achievement, showcasing decades of combustion engineering expertise while positioning the company at the forefront of hydrogen burner technology for the minerals and asphalt sectors.
Looking Ahead
The knowledge gained through the Bay Hydrogen Hub project continues to inform the development of next-generation low-carbon burner systems. As demand for sustainable industrial heating solutions grows, Asphalt Burner Services Ltd remains committed to helping customers transition towards cleaner fuels without compromising production performance or reliability.
This project remains one of the most significant technical milestones in the history of Asphalt Burner Services Ltd, demonstrating the company’s capability to take innovative hydrogen combustion technology from controlled testing through to successful commercial-scale asphalt production.
