Modernization of a Tube Furnace as Part of Zero-Waste Practice

Beata Brzychczyk (), Jakub Styks (), Michał Hajos (), Jacek Kostiuczuk, Wiktor Nadkański, Rafał Smolec and Łukasz Sikora
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Beata Brzychczyk: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Jakub Styks: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Michał Hajos: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Jacek Kostiuczuk: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Wiktor Nadkański: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Rafał Smolec: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland
Łukasz Sikora: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Agrophysics, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 120, 30-149 Krakow, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-26

Abstract: Modern research laboratories are constantly evolving to meet the growing demands for precision, quality, and flexibility in scientific work. The modernization of existing experimental test benches plays a crucial role in improving efficiency, optimizing processes, and ensuring operational safety. This requires updates to their design, experimental methods, data collection, and results recording—all of which provide the foundation for developing new research concepts. An increasing number of innovations are now guided by the principle of minimizing environmental impact. In line with this approach, an innovative modernization of a tube furnace research station was carried out, based on the concepts of sustainable development and the zero-waste philosophy. To enable thermogravimetric analyses of coffee waste, a previously incomplete tube furnace was refurbished using recycled components. The primary objective was to expand the research capabilities of the existing workstation. As part of the modernization, three indicators of reuse efficiency were calculated: the quantitative indicator W re-use , the mass indicator W r e - u s e m a s s , and the cost indicator W r e - u s e v a l u e . A quantitative index of 78% and a mass index of approximately 76% were achieved, while the economic value of the recovered components accounted for 11% of the total value of the revitalized research station. This strategy significantly reduced waste generation, carbon dioxide emissions, and the consumption of primary raw materials.

Keywords: zero-waste; sustainable development; circular economy; thermal analysis; tube furnace modernization; rotary furnace mechanism; resource recovery; compacted waste combustion; reuse efficiency indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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