Kiln Building: Calculating gas consumptionÂ
http://www.combust.com.au/ceramics/kiln/kiln.htm : A rough rule-of-thumb ratio is one square inch of flue
area to 8,000 BTU’s of maximum gas input
from: http://www.wardburner.com/technicalinfo/samplecalculations.html
There are several variables that come into play when choosing burners for a kiln or furnace. Listed below
are the facts you need to know before deciding the size (Btu’s per Hour) of your burner system.
1. Total inside volume of the kiln.
2. Type of wall construction.
3. Maximum temperature you will be reaching.
Calculating Kiln Volume
Kiln volume is usually expressed in Cubic Feet (CF). In a flat top kiln this figure is arrived at by multiplying
the interior height (H) by the interior width (W) by the depth or length (L).
Sprung or Roman arch: CF = W x L x (Side wall + 2/3 of the arch rise)
Catenary arch: CF = L x Arch area (4/3 H x 1/2 Base Width)
Barrel kiln: CF = H x Pi x R2 (R2 – Radius is 1/2 the diameter x itself) (Pi = 3.14)
If you have used inches in the above equations, divide the total by 1728 to convert to Cubic Feet.
Wall Construction & Temperature
The type of material and its’ insulating values determines how many Btu’s per Cubic Feet per Hour (Btu/
Cf/Hr), you will need to reach a desired temperature. Below is a simplified chart showing materials,
desired temp., and the corresponding Btu/Cf/Hr. There are a host of variables that can affect kiln
efficiency. This is a basic guide only.
Construction
9″ Hard Brick
9″ Insultating Brick
6″ Ceramic Fiber
This simple table gives you an idea of how many Btu’s per Cubic Feet per Hour you will need. Multiplying
this figure by the total Cubic Feet will give you Btu/Hr. Now divide Btu/Hr by the number of burners you
plan to use to determine what Btu/Hr rating each burner should have. The numbers above show a range
of BTU figures. The highest figure in each range produces a 6-7 hour firing. The lowest figure will produce
firings in the 14-18 hour range. I feel it is better to have extra Btu’s than not enough. The above is a guide
not a guarantee. If you would like us to verify your calculations, please feel free to call or write.
Cone 06
Btu/Hr
12,000-17,000
6,000-10,000
4,000-6,000
Cone 6
Btu/Hr
14,000-18,500
8,000-13,000
6,000-8,000
Cone 10
Btu/Hr
16,000-20,000
10,000-16,000
7,000-10,000
Raku Construction & Btu/Hr Values
Many folks don’t realize that Raku kilns have much higher Btu input rates than stoneware kilns. This is
because Raku is traditionally done very quickly. For this reason, it is very difficult to bisque fire in a Raku
kiln. If you plan on purchasing or making a Raku kiln, please note that you could have problems with
steam explosions of the ware if you attempt to use the kiln for bisque. Also, the structural nature of Raku
kilns make many of them impractical for use at stoneware temperatures. The chart below gives the basic
Btu input for Raku kilns of various materials. These input values are for a fast firing rate of around 20-30
minutes for the first load. Subsequent loads would be slightly faster.
Construction
4 1/2″ Hard Brick
2 1/2″ Insulating Brick
4 1/2″ Insulating Brick
1″ Ceramic Fiber
2″ Ceramic Fiber
Btu/Hr
70,000
40,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
Sample Calculations & Burner Options
Flat Top Kiln: 45″ H • 45″ W • 45″ L. Constructed of 9″ insulating brick.
45 x 45 x 45 = 91,125 cu/in. divided by 1728 = 53 cu/ft (aprox.)
For cone 10 firing of 6-8 hours – 53 x 16,000 = 848,000 Btu/HR
For 2 Burners – 848,000 ÷ 2 = 424,000 per burner
For 4 Burners – 848,000 ÷ 4 = 212,000 per burner
For 6 Burners – 848,000 ÷ 6 = 141,333 per burner
Sprung Arch Kiln: (30″H + 5″ RISE) • 30″ W • 30″ Hard Brick construction
(30 + [.66 x 5]) = 33.3 x 30 x 30 = 29,970 cu/in divided by 1728 = 17.5 cu/ft
For cone 10 firing of 6-8 hours – 17.5 x 20,000 = 350,000 Btu/HR
For 2 Burners – 350,000 ÷ 2 = 175,000 Btu per burner
For 4 Burners – 350,000 ÷ 4 = 87,500 Btu per burner
For 6 Burners – Not necessary
Catenary Arch Kiln: 40″ W • 48″ H • 60″ L Insulating brick w/2″ ceramic fiber
([4/3 x 48]=64) x ([1/2 x 40]=20) x 60 = 76,800 cu/in divided by 1728 = 44.5 cu/ft
For cone 10 firing of 6-8 hours – 44.5 x 12,500 = 556,250 Btu/HR
For 2 Burners – 556,250 ÷ 2 = 278,125 Btu per burner
For 4 Burners – 556,250 ÷ 4 = 139,062 Btu per burner
For 6 Burners – 556,250 ÷ 6 = 92,608 Btu per burner
55 Gallon Drum Kiln: 18″ D • 32″ H Lined with 2″ ceramic fiber
([18 ÷ 2] = 9{radius} squared (9×9) x Pi (3.14) x 32 = 8,139 cu/in divided by 1728 = 4.7 cu.ft..
For Raku firing of 20-30 minutes – 4.7 x 20,000 = 94,000 Btu/HR
1 Burner Adequate
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 1086 • Dandridge, TN • 37725
(865) 397-2914 phone • (865) 397-1253 fax
info@wardburner.com
from: http://www.combust.com.au/ceramics/Charts.htm
BURNER SIZING CHART FOR L.P.GAS KILNS – CERAMIC FIBRE
Based on required capacity of 50MJ/m2 (4500 BTU/ft2) per hour for cubic kilns lined with 150 mm (6″)
of ceramic fibre. The area on which the calculations are based is the total internal surface area of the kin
space, not the stacking space only.
Example: 20 cubic foot (total volume) fibre kiln to 1300oC uses approx. 210,000 BTU/hour at top
temperature therefore use 2 x LK32 burners or 4 x LK25 burners for more even heat.