What Is Clamp Burning?
A typical clamp is shown below figure The bricks and fuel are placed in alternate layers. The amount of fuel is reduced successively in the top layers.
Clamp Burning
Each brick tier consists of 4–5 layers of bricks. Some space is left between bricks for the free circulation of hot gasses. After 30 percent loading of the clamp, the fuel in the lowest layer is fired and the remaining loading of bricks and fuel is carried out hurriedly.
The top and sides of the clamp are plastered with mud. Then a coat of cow dung is given, which prevents the escape of heat. The production of bricks is 2–3 lacs and the process is completed in six months. This process yields about 60 percent of first-class bricks.
Advantages of Clamp Burning
- Bricks produced are tough and hard due to gradual burning and cooling processes.
- It is Cheap and economical
- No skilled labour or supervision is required for the construction of clamps.
- There is lot of saving in fuel.
Disadvantage of Clamp BurningÂ
- Bricks produced are of irregular shape due to the settlement of bricks on turning of fuel to ashes.
- It is a slow process and flame regulation is not possible
- Quality of bricks is not uniform. Bricks at bottom, are found overburnt, while at top and sides are found to be under burnt.
What Is Kiln Burning?
The kiln used for burning bricks may be underground, e.g. Bull’s trench kiln or overground, e.g. Hoffman’s kiln. These may be rectangular, circular, or oval in shape. When the process of burning bricks is continuous, the kiln is known as a continuous kiln, e.g. Bull’s trench and Hoffman’s kilns. On the other hand, if the process of burning bricks is discontinuous, the kiln is known as an intermittent kiln.
Type of Kiln BurningÂ
• Intermittent Kiln
• Continuous Kiln
Intermittent Kiln
Continuous Kiln
Clamp Burning Vs Kiln Burning
| Sr.No. | Particulars of Comparison | Clamp Burning | Kiln Burning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial cost | Initial cost is low | Initial cost is high |
| 2 | Type of structure | Clamps are tempray | Kilns are permanent structure |
| 3 | Daily output | 25,000 to 1,00,000 bricks be burnt depending upon size of clamp. | 25,00 bricks can be burnt continuosly daily. |
| 4 | Quality of bricks | Average 60% quality bricks obtained. | Average 90% quality bricks can be obtained. |
| 5 | Fire regulation | Controlled firing can not be maintained throughout the process. | Controlled firing can be be maintained through the processes. |
| 6 | Cost of fuel consumption | Less, because local fuel materials like stores etc can be used. | Cost of fuel consumption is high, because only coal is used as the fuel. |
| 7 | Brining period | 2 to 6 months are necessary for burning and cooling. | Only about one day is necessary for burning and about 10 to 12 days for cooling of one chamber. |
| 8 | Preferability | Preferable for a small quantity and ordinary bricks. | Preferable for large, and continuous quality and pf quality production desired. |
| 9 | Wastage of heat | More wastage of heat because fire controlling and proper regulation is not possible. | Minimum wastage of heat because of proper heat regulation system. |
| 10 | Supervision | Supervision is not necessary | Skilled and continuous supervision is necessary. |
| 11 | Operations | Only burning of bricks is done. | Dry, heating and cooling operations are done sequentially. |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) that could be included in your article comparing Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning for brick production:
What Is Clamp Burning?
Clamp Burning is a traditional method of brick production where bricks and fuel are stacked in layers and fired in an open structure covered with mud and cow dung.
What Is Kiln Burning?
Kiln Burning involves the use of permanent structures (kilns) to burn bricks either continuously or intermittently, using controlled firing for better quality and efficiency.
How Does the Initial Cost Compare Between Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning?
Clamp Burning typically has a lower initial cost due to its temporary structure, whereas Kiln Burning involves higher initial costs for building permanent kilns.
What Are the Differences in Daily Output Between Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning?
Clamp Burning can burn 25,000 to 100,000 bricks depending on the clamp size, while Kiln Burning can continuously burn about 25,000 bricks daily in modern continuous kilns.
How Does the Quality of Bricks Compare Between Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning?
Clamp Burning yields about 60% first-class bricks due to less controlled firing, whereas Kiln Burning can achieve around 90% quality bricks with better temperature regulation.
Which Method Is More Cost-Effective in Terms of Fuel Consumption?
Clamp Burning is less costly in terms of fuel consumption as it can use local fuel materials, whereas Kiln Burning, which often uses coal, incurs higher fuel costs.
What Are the Differences in the Duration of the Burning and Cooling Process Between Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning?
Clamp Burning requires 2 to 6 months for burning and cooling, whereas Kiln Burning typically involves about one day for burning and 10 to 12 days for cooling in modern kilns.
Which Method Is Preferable for Different Types of Brick Production Needs?
Clamp Burning is preferable for smaller quantities of ordinary bricks, while Kiln Burning is favored for large-scale production and when high-quality bricks are desired.
How Does the Wastage of Heat Differ Between Clamp Burning and Kiln Burning?
Clamp Burning experiences more wastage of heat due to less controlled firing, whereas Kiln Burning minimizes heat wastage through proper regulation systems.
What Level of Supervision Is Required for Each Method?
Clamp Burning requires minimal supervision as compared to Kiln Burning, which demands skilled and continuous supervision due to the controlled nature of the process.
