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[August 2002]
'Kiln Monitor' for Ceramic Tile Firing Monitoring
The 'Kiln Monitor' is a brand new application that has been developed in the laboratories of Expert System Solutions (Modena, Italy) to monitor the movement of ceramic tiles through conveyor kilns.The Kiln Monitor is described as the first industrial endoscope to be developed specifically for ceramic tile producers which is able to continuously monitor the conditions within the conveyor kilns. It looks like a normal thermocouple with a ceramic sheath of 15mm, while its length varies according to the thickness of the kiln wall.
The company says that installation is very simple, merely requiring a special cable to be laid that is connected to the kiln's control panel, as well as the use of compressed air through a 4 x 6mm flexible tubing. The air pressure is reduced to 0.02 bar by a special reducer and the cooling flow is guaranteed by a small compressor on stand-by, which is connected to the kiln's emergency power supply.
It is thanks to this cooling flow that the endoscope is able to work continuously even in areas of the kiln that reach temperatures of 1200°C. However, in the majority of cases, in the areas of the kiln that reach maximum temperatures, there is not enough contrast between the kiln environment and the advancing tiles for there to be the correct conditions for accurate viewing.
It is possible to install different applications in the most critical areas of the kiln, so as to monitor from a variety of positions. The field of vision of this optical system covers 70% of the width of the kiln; it is thus advisable to install the application on both sides of the kiln for optimum coverage of the section.
Expert System Solutions says that the sections that require constant monitoring are undoubtedly those in which the tiles are extracted, normally around 900°C to 1000°C, and between the firing and cooling processes. In these areas, problems can arise from the decomposition of the conveyor belt, which leads to its irregular advancement. The company underlines that in areas of insufficient light - as found in the preheating stage - and in areas of no contrast - as in zones of maximum temperature - there lack the conditions for optimum vision.
ENDS