Ceramics
The installation of the OPTIMA System in tunnel and intermittent kilns, like those used in the technical and structural ceramics industry (especially in the manufacture of stoneware, roof tiles and facing bricks), is very useful.
The OPTIMA System enables the continuous monitoring of oxidation and reduction in the atmosphere throughout the firing process. It also serves to detect problems in the atmospheres in real time, before the product comes out of the kiln, and can therefore achieve major savings, in terms of time and energy.
Moreover, it enables the regulation of the kiln in accordance with the different atmospheric and climatic conditions, temperature changes at different times of year, changes in the working conditions close to the kiln, etc.
The free O2% in the combustion gases in a tunnel kiln is necessarily dependent on the specific requirements of each product. Real time analysis of the nature of the oxidation and reduction of the gases and the consequent appropriate regulation of the kiln enables the prevention of problems of discoloration in zones, tone changes, carbonate oxidation defects, etc. To this end, our clients act on the regulation of the temperature curves, regulation of draw ventilators and lateral contravec, regulation of burner air pressure, adjustment of gas electro-valves, gums, etc. This is the reason why monitoring the atmosphere for the firing of different products or in different conditions is essential. When we know the appropriate atmosphere for the firing of a particular product, we can check the correct state of the atmosphere every time this product enters the kiln.
As some of our clients are wont to say “it’s much better to fire well than badly, but above all, always fire in the same way”.