WFP Nzerekore on tue 4 mar 97
Greetings from the Guinea Forestiere. Thanks to several clayartists, who
responded several months ago to my request for information on frit making.
I had not carefully thought out my question, regarding using salt in making
frit in a little electric test kiln. Of course, this would give off
hyrdochloric acid gas, and attack the kiln elements. My intention with so
small a kiln has merely been to test the viability of future work in a
larger kiln.
This time I am anxious for information on an immediate need, regarding
construction of a gas fired test kiln. We will use a venturi burner I
brought from the U.S. (via Kenya), a Buzzer VNB 100. The literature says
it'll do 25,000 BTUs per hour. But we do not have L.P.gas available, and my
hope is to gasify wood, which is plentiful. I hope to build a charcoal
retort, piping off the gases for the burner. I would use a 55 gallon drum,
sealed close with the wood, but have no idea how many BTUs per hour would
come off the drum. Perhaps I could weld two drums together, if need be.
Can anyone help me out with information on this? I am also hopeful that a
conventional L.P.gas type regulator would be all I would need between the
retort and the burner.
Since I am unable to connect to Clayart, I am requesting direct response to
me (via Guinea Net, at: wfpnz@wfp.org.gn) I will hope to write again soon,
regarding our small NGO, Le Village d'Industrie. Twelve kilometers from
here, in the village of Gbotoy, we are working with women potters, helping
them construct and fire an improved bonfire kiln; a ring of construction
bricks that will be closed over in each firing with a mud top. I am helping
them making stronger water containers, to reach more distant markets, and to
make fuel-efficient cook stoves, and earthenware water filters. We are
currently firing the refractory bricks for these kilns and a stoneware kiln,
and are about to build a foundry, with the hope of melting and casting iron.
Our intention is a kind of integrated micro industrial development. Our
trainees will be Liberian refugees, who can hopefully use the new skills in
rebuilding their country.
More later.
Reid Harvey
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