We can learn the clay metal forming process

Today, we will learn the clay metal forming process together.  

The clay metal forming process in traditional kilns generates atmospheric pollution when industrial and domestic scrap is used as fuel. An alternative is presented here, using the solar energy for clay-metal forming. We are developing a system for clay metal forming process to reach temperatures between 900°C and 1050°C; these temperatures are sufficiently high to fire bricks or similar ceramic products. The present paper describes the design and characterization of the components of a solar furnace for clay metal forming process with inner chamber dimensions of 0.48 × 0.61 × 0.64 m. To convey the sunlight to the firing chamber, a heliostat with nine 1 × 1 m mirrors is used to send the rays of the sun to an off-axis parabolic concentrator that focuses the light on the entrance of the firing chamber. The heliostat has a solar-tracking system which makes primary and secondary adjustments to assure that the reflected solar radiation always arrives at the concentrator. The firing chamber contains a prismatic cavity that absorbs the solar radiation to generate the heat which is needed for baking the bricks inside the firing chamber. 

Production of clay bricks firing process is a cottage industry on which many third-world families depend. In Mexico there are around 8000 traditional kilns for clay-metal forming. The manual clay metal forming process involves the preparation of a clayey mixture, which is then molded, dried, and finally fired. The firing process generates atmospheric pollution, as tires, firewood, wood residues, diesel oil, and fuel oil are used as the fuel. The use of solar energy would help alleviate environmental pollution; the present paper describes the design and partial testing of a solar system for clay-metal forming.

A heliostat with nine mirrors, each with dimensions of 1 x 1 m, is used to reflect sunlight to an off -axis, parabolic out-of-focus concentrator. This concentrator focuses the light into a firing chamber. The off -axis geometry is employed to avoid the firing chamber shadowing the concentrator. All surfaces are made of anodized aluminum.

Here, we can learn the clay metal forming process.