Wayne Seidl on mon 30 oct 06
If someone has a working knowledge of gas kilns using controllers, I would
appreciate some help with gas valving.
Specifically: In a situation where the firing is computer controlled;
is the gas valve designed to vary the amount of gas being fed to the
burners, as an "off-to-high" variable or is it strictly an "on/off"
arrangement that is time and temperature dependent, the dwell time being
controlled by the "request" generated by the thermocouple in calling for
more heat, or an oxygen sensor in calling for more/less reduction? A
variable valve arrangement would allow a burner to continuously operate,
where an "on/off" would be heavily dependent on a pilot or other ignition
source. This affects the safety systems, also.
Gas kiln manufacturers are operating on a set of parameters I'm not familiar
with, and I'm not at all familiar with what's out in the market these days.
My water heater is a different sort of beast altogether, though safety
systems appear similar.
If variable, do kiln builders manufacture their own valves for use with
their controller, or are these from an "outside" supplier and possibly
available through the market?
I'm not asking for any specifics here, I don't want anyone giving away any
proprietary information, but speaking in general terms would be appreciated.
This is for an application not connected with pottery per se, but with
generation of post-production heat (which could be used for firing a kiln).
Any information would be helpful. Many thanks.
Best,
Wayne Seidl
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