The burner technology used to dry the paint on contrast roofs was converted for the start of MINI Countryman production and now consists of a bivalent system, the BMW announced in press release, dedicated to the launch of the new assembly line of the all-electric version at the Leipzig plant. The fuel-flexible burners can run on hydrogen (H2) as well as gas (methane, CH4) and even switch between the two while in operation, the BMW stated. Five such bivalent hydrogen-capable burners are used to produce the contrast roofs for the MINI Countryman.
Further burners in the paintshop will also gradually switch to bivalent operations, with the next six hydrogen-capable burners just installed. This makes Leipzig a pioneer in the automotive industry and takes it ever closer to lower CO2 emissions. “Our vision at Plant Leipzig is to decarbonise production as far as possible by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen,” said Petra Peterhänsel, explaining the long-term focus of the facility. This will require sufficient green hydrogen from a grid. A regional hydrogen grid is currently in planning, with Plant Leipzig set to benefit.
Photo of BMW Group
Press release https://shorturl.at/dnDJ9
