Next-Generation Thermal Processing: The Strategic Shift to Modular Hydrogen-Electric Tunnel Ovens
Rising energy costs and strict sustainability targets are squeezing bakery margins, making the old “gas-only” strategy risky. The solution might not be a total line replacement, but rather a modular upgrade. New hydrogen-electric hybrid systems, powered by smart automation, offer a way to cut emissions without sacrificing crumb structure or throughput.
The bakery industry is facing a dual pressure point; energy volatility and the inevitable push toward net-zero.
For years, the tunnel oven was a static beast-reliable, but inflexible.
The latest collaboration between AMF Bakery Systems and Siemens has shifted this paradigm, introducing modularity and intelligence where we used to just see burners and belts.
The “Multibake” Flexibility
The core innovation isn’t just about burning hydrogen; it is about the architecture.
The AMF Multibake VITA and similar modular systems allow for a “plug-and-play” approach to heating.
- Fuel Agnostic: You can potentially run on electricity today and switch to hydrogen tomorrow as infrastructure matures.
- Retrofit Potential: Instead of scrapping a 60-meter line, operators could simply swap out burner modules for hydrogen-ready units.
- Hybrid Zones: It is possible to configure specific zones for electric radiant heat while keeping others direct-fired, giving you granular control over the Maillard reaction and crust development.
Siemens Inside: Baking with Data
A hydrogen flame is only as good as the system controlling it.
This is where the Siemens “Totally Integrated Automation” (TIA) comes into play.
It moves beyond simple PID loops into the realm of predictive control.
- Real-Time Load Adjustment: Traditional ovens fire to a setpoint regardless of the gap on the belt. The new control systems monitor actual product occupancy (load) and adjust energy output instantly.
- Smart Sensors: By leveraging IoT and Edge computing, the system continuously analyzes airflow and humidity, potentially saving up to 20% in energy usage by preventing “empty belt” firing.
- Emission Tracking: With strict reporting standards looming, having an oven that automatically logs its own CO2 footprint could save hours of administrative compliance work.
Why Hydrogen Now?
While widespread green hydrogen availability is still scaling, the “Hydrogen-Ready” tag is an insurance policy.
The Multibake VITA is capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 99.9% when running on green hydrogen, yet it functions perfectly on natural gas in the interim.
This allows capital expenditure to be justified today while protecting the asset’s value for the next 20 years.
😊 Thanks for reading!
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