6dof on thu 16 sep 99
Greetings.
I'd like to solicit some assistance.
An Orton KilnVent (standard version, draws from the bottom) has
exhibited a great deal of corrosion in less than a year of ownership.
The corrosion is most acute on the fan. Pieces of the fan have rottted
off and eaten holes in the ducting.
The kiln is located in a basement and some water dripped out of the
ducting when the ducting was disconnected.
Has anyone else experienced problems of this sort?
Any ideas as to the cause of the corrosion?
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to stop/slow the rate of
corrosion?
I'd be grateful for any assistance you could offer.
Chris Kawa
St. Louis, MO
6dof@usenm.net
Christopher J. Anton on fri 17 sep 99
> Pieces of the fan have rotted
> off and eaten holes in the ducting.
>
> The kiln is located in a basement and some water dripped out of the
> ducting when the ducting was disconnected.
>
St. Louis, as is typical of the Midwest (US), experiences considerable
humidity. This humidity may be resulting in condensation in your duct.
Moisture combined with various gases can result in production of corrosive
liquids..
It sounds as though your ducting is not installed so as to accumulate any
such condensation in a trap which can be drained off, but is instead
allowing a buildup of acids inside. With the kiln located in the basement,
it sound as though you probably have a straight section of ducting dropping
down to a horizontal run to the fan. I can't swear that this is the case,
but it is certainly worth examining.
I hope this helps.
- Chris
Phyllis E. Tilton on fri 17 sep 99
Chris: I did have that problem with the Orton Vent. At that time, I was using
mostly lo fire clays and glazes--^06 to ^ 04. The kiln started to vibrate so
much that I was afraid the shelves or posts could be collapsed. I called
Columbus Clay and was informed that it indeed was the corrosion on the fan
blades. The acids in the fumes were the culprits. I did replace the motor and
fan. The first vent lasted 3 years and the new one is probably 5 or 6 or
more years old and doing fine. I fussed about the additional expense and my
husband said to simmer down. Divide the price by the 3 years that I had used
it. That made the cost of using it not so bad. Now, I fire mostly ^6 and once
in a while the ^04 to 06. The advantage of getting the fumes out of the house
makes the cost of the vent well worth while and, I guess, kind of fits right
in there with so many household appliances that will just last a given
lifetime--planned obsolesance? (sp?)
Phyllis Tilton
Daisypet@aol.com
Christopher J. Anton on sat 18 sep 99
I have yet to be able to actually see the Orton vent: is the motor exposed
to the airflow or just the fan blades and shaft? If the latter, perhaps it
would be good idea to add a thick coat of an acrylic spray to the blades.
That might be able to help extend the life some. Also (if the primary
problem is the blades) one might be able, when necessary, to replace just
the blades and reduce the maintenance cost.
Just a thought : )
- Chris
> The kiln started to vibrate so
> much that I was afraid the shelves or posts could be collapsed. I called
> Columbus Clay and was informed that it indeed was the corrosion on the fan
> blades. The acids in the fumes were the culprits. I did replace the motor
and
> fan. The first vent lasted 3 years and the new one is probably 5 or 6 or
> more years old and doing fine.
Corinne P. Null on tue 21 sep 99
I believe someone told me that the Scutt vent is made with plastic parts
that don't rust out. I will eventually need to see if it will fit where my
rusting Bailey vent is now.
Corinne Null
Bedford, New Hampshire
null@mediaone.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of Christopher J. Anton
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 1999 4:49 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: Orton KilnVent corrosion query
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I have yet to be able to actually see the Orton vent: is the motor exposed
to the airflow or just the fan blades and shaft? If the latter, perhaps it
would be good idea to add a thick coat of an acrylic spray to the blades.
That might be able to help extend the life some. Also (if the primary
problem is the blades) one might be able, when necessary, to replace just
the blades and reduce the maintenance cost.
Just a thought : )
- Chris
> The kiln started to vibrate so
> much that I was afraid the shelves or posts could be collapsed. I called
> Columbus Clay and was informed that it indeed was the corrosion on the fan
> blades. The acids in the fumes were the culprits. I did replace the motor
and
> fan. The first vent lasted 3 years and the new one is probably 5 or 6 or
> more years old and doing fine.
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