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fwd: re: reduction-fuel saving

updated wed 4 nov 09

 

Paul Borian on wed 4 nov 09


you could draw a line on the damper at the 2" open mark and very carefully
push it in just a tiny bit more and see if that results in any flames out
the lower peep holes. You could also try going slower through body
reduction - i have done a lot of firings where it climbed just a little for
an hour during body reduction, then i would let it climb normally after
that. You said pushing the damper in more causes the kiln to stall - so you
could try to find the delicate balance in between stalling and climbing
just a very little bit.
Also do you have the gas pressure turned all the way up? if not you may
want to try increasing it, at least during body reduction.
Paul

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: mudduck
Date: Nov 2, 2009 7:08pm
Subject: Re: Reduction-fuel saving
To: blanketcreek@gmail.com
CC:


> Paul the pots on the bottom look just like they came out of the electric
> kiln. The clay is light tan with no reduction. Where as the pots in the
> rest of the kiln are a nice toasty brown.





> Thanks!!


> Gene


> mudduck@mudduckpottery.net


> www.mudduckpottery.net


> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Borian" blanketcreek@GMAIL.COM>


> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG>


> Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:58 AM


> Subject: Fwd: Reduction-fuel saving










> as far as not getting reduction at the bottom - are the pots down there


> really coming out different than the ones in other parts of the kiln? i


> often do not get flames out the bottom spy hole but it does not make a


> difference in the finished product - they look the same down there as


> anywhere else.





> Paul





> ---------- Forwarded message ----------


> From: mudduck mudduck@mudduckpottery.net>


> Date: Nov 1, 2009 4:11pm


> Subject: Reduction-fuel saving


> To: Clayart@lsv.ceramics.org


> CC:










> I built and have been trying to learn to fire a gas kiln for about a year


> now. The kiln is built to Nils Lou's style of MFT, but it has an arch.


> It's is 45 wide X 45 deep and 50 from the car floor to the arch. The exit


> flue approx. 36 sq. inch, one full brick and double venturi with the


> fiber lined metal chimney. Burners are 2 Ransom B-4 high pressure on


> propane purchased from Mark Ward.





















> It takes me 11 hrs to fire to cone 10 using 42 gallons of fuel. I would


> really like to learn to fire the kiln a little faster and more efficient


> on the propane.





















> I get poor reduction on the bottom shelf, which sits on a brick laid on


> its side. So my first shelf is just above the flue opening. I hear of


> people having 4"flame coming from the bottom peep. As yet I haven't been


> able to get any flame from the bottom peep. The most I've pushed the


> damper in is 2 inches open. If I push the damper in any more the kiln


> seems to make a woofing sound and seems to stall or have very little


> temp. rise. As some have said I don't want to blow this thing up. And


> being self taught on firing I don't know what to change to get the


> reduction on the bottom shelf and save more fuel. I have an oxy probe


> inserted in the center of the door. During reduction I'm reading from .78


> to .80. Reduction is good to heavy in the rest of the kiln just not on


> the bottom shelf.





















> The kiln fires even from top to bottom as far as the temp. goes, a little


> hotter in the back than front.





















> I've tried to include as much info that I can think of, hope I included


> enough.





















> I'd like to talk to someone about this. I talk much better than I type!!





















> Gene












> mudduck@mudduckpottery.net












> www.mudduckpottery.net