Ceramic Industry  Kiln Connection: Pressure Control in Tunnel
Kilns, Part 2  February 23, 2012   Pressure curve anomalies
(red) can be adjusted (black) to improve firing.   Taking
Measurements The first step in managing kiln pressure is to
develop a set of readings on your tunnel kiln. Select a
manometer with sufficient sensitivity—0.001 in. resolution—so
you can develop an internal pressure curve of the kiln. Try to
measure the pressure in the kiln every 20 ft, and always measure
the pressure at the same elevation (preferably close to the kiln
car base). At the same time, measure the oxygen level at each of
these locations; this supplemental data will be useful when
analyzing necessary changes.  Figure 1 shows several pressure
curves of tunnel kilns. The red curve represents kiln pressure
before adjustment, and the blue curve is the percentage of O2.
The black curve represents pressure after the kiln was adjusted,
while the green curve is the corresponding percentage of O2.
The red pressure curve has some a