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New Business Horizons — The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln Technology Dr. Arun Kumar T his week, the 30th June 2002 will be a milestone in the history of environmental regulation in India. The process that was triggered in 1994 with directions issued by the Supreme Court of India, will finally culminate in the closure of all polluting and environmentally non-conforming brick kilns. Through this action, new business opportunities have emerged for quality conscious, environmentally aware entrepreneurs to invest in brick production. The new generation of entrepreneurs seek opportunities that will ensure
The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln Technology
The Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln Technology responds to these expectations with several unique propositions. Originally developed in China, the VSBK technology has been adapted to Indian conditions. A Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) is an energy efficient technology for fired clay brick production. It essentially consists of one or more rectangular, vertical shafts within a kiln structure. Rectangular geometric arrays of dried green bricks and crushed coal are carefully stacked into batches, which are continuously loaded into the top of the shaft. At the bottom of the shaft, batches of fired clay bricks are continuously unloaded. The heating and firing cycle for the green bricks is raw material specific and is normally completed within 24 – 30 hours. An array of VSBK kiln owners in Gwalior, Guna, Bareilly, Amravati and Aurangabad will vouch for the outstanding features of the VSBK technology.
l High Energy EfficiencyThe VSBK technology economizes on fuel costs, with savings of between 30 to 50% when compared with other common brick firing technologies such as clamps or Bull’s Trench Kilns with movable chimneys. l Environment-friendlyThe construction of a VSBK requires very little land. The building of multiple shaft production units further enhances the ratio of land use to production output. By following proper firing procedures and operational guidelines, the emissions from VSBK operations are low and well within permissible limits. l Economically viableBrick production using VSBK technology is a profitable business. The VSBK can be operated all the year round and present experience of entrepreneurs is that production can commence upto 2 months in advance of the normal brick season. The VSBK technology provides quick turnover; bricks are ready for sale within two days of loading. l Uniform Quality of productionVSBK fired bricks show a fine, deep red colour and have a good, metallic ring. A compressive strength of upto 180 kg/cm2 can be achieved using good quality soils. The VSBK produces mostly one grade of bricks ; breakages and wastages can be limited to 10% during stable operation. Of course, the VSBK operation requires special skills and training of firemen, fire masters and supervisors. The turnkey responsibility for project design, construction, commissioning, soil investigations and training is assumed by the staff of the VSBK Service Centre located in Datia, Madhya Pradesh. VSBK Service Centre The VSBK Service Centre is a nodal facility established primarily to cater to the technological needs of brick kiln owners who would like to invest in the VSBK technology. The VSBK Service Centre provides specialised services and skilled manpower with highly experienced staff consisting of ceramic engineers, structural engineers, firing professionals, master masons and fire masters. The centre has the following utilities :
The VSBK Service Centre supports efforts to achieve wide scale recognition of the environmental worthiness, profitability and stability of business operations and benchmark quality of the VSBK technology. Entrepreneurs seeking more information on the VSBK technology may visit our website vsbkindia.com or write to Business Development Executive, TARA or Manager, Technology Systems Branch, Development Alternatives at : B-32 Qutab Institutional Area, Tara Crescent, New Delhi – 110 016. q
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