Solution & Product Selection
Given the kiln’s operating temperature, the NUTEC team selected MaxWool Fiber 2600 ceramic bulk fiber, which has zirconia as a component, allowing it to withstand temperatures up to 1,425°C (2,600°F). Macromodules, MaxBlock Modules and Refractory Bricks were also used in different parts of the kiln structure.
This project presented several challenges for the NUTEC team. The first of these was to ensure that the kiln structure was in good condition, necessary for the correct installation of the insulation modules, as well as to guarantee the lifetime of our service. At the beginning of the process, the team discovered that the kiln structure was rusty and damaged, for which modifications were requested in certain sections, mainly the sheets on the side and top.
Another important challenge resulted from the detection of a mechanical problem in the kiln door, which prevented it from sealing properly. To fix this, we came up with an engineering design that allowed our thermal insulation system to create an airtight seal.
After the first firing the team made subsequent visits, during which hot spots were identified with a thermographic camera. These were a product of the high velocity of the gases in the burners, which resulted in the detaching of some of the modules that had initially been employed. To solve this, NUTEC's MaxMoldable ceramic fiber insulation was used.