Rising energy costs and the demands of sustainable production are posing new challenges for the baking industry. The NEO ModulOven (Low Energy Oven) offers an innovative solution that sets new standards through its modular concept, high efficiency, and optional hybrid technology.
The Concept
Instead of a central heating system, the NEO oven consists of 6-meter-long modules, each equipped with its own burner and precise control system. The shorter flue gas paths reduce the temperature difference between the flue gas and the baking chamber to less than 20 °C, significantly increasing efficiency and minimizing heat losses.
The thermal coupling of the modules makes optimal use of the hot exhaust gases (ECO POWER®). In addition, an e-Cer® ceramic coating in the ceiling area improves infrared radiation, which penetrates deep into the baked goods and shortens baking times.
Hybrid Technology for the Future
The NEO HybridOven can be operated on gas, electricity, or a combination of both energy sources. By connecting to a smart meter system, the oven detects the current electricity price and automatically selects the most economical energy source. This reduces operating costs and supports grid stability when the share of renewable energies is high.
Advantages of the Modular Design
- Compact, highly maintenance-friendly construction
- Short installation time of 1–2 weeks
- Only one exhaust flue is required
- Precise temperature control and fast response times (no temperature overshoot during product gaps in the oven)
- Reduced flue gas losses, lower energy consumption, and overall lower installed burner capacity
ITB Services on This Project
During the development of the NEO HybridOven, ITB GmbH supported the manufacturer Backpartner GmbH with flow and thermal analysis of the newly integrated electric heating element. Its installation changes the fluid dynamic properties of the system — particularly pressure drop, temperature distribution, and volumetric flow distribution. Using the CFD software Cradle CFD scFLOW by Hexagon, ITB GmbH was able to precisely quantify these effects and assess their impact on the overall system.
Cradle CFD scFLOW is capable of reliably, accurately, and efficiently mapping the complex geometric and fluid dynamic aspects of the hybrid oven.
Backpartner GmbH thus received a well-founded basis to ensure that the circulation fan meets the new requirements and that the temperature distribution remains uniform and efficient regardless of the heating mode (gas or electric).
For a cost- and time-efficient implementation, the thermal and fluid dynamic properties of the heating element were mapped using precisely defined boundary conditions. The necessary calibration data were determined by ITB GmbH in close coordination with the suppliers involved.
