Potters Kiln Bricks: Using Manual Brick Making Machine

Bricks production is of vital importance for the sustenance and development of Nigerian ceramic potteries, ceramic tiles, red bricks and glass industries. Ceramic brick is the unit of kiln construction which without, ceramic production is impossible. Despite the availability of raw materials for potters kiln brickmaking locally everywhere in this country, little has been done in terms of investigating and designing standard brickmaking processes in Nigeria. Right from the inception of soft mud brickmaking method which is the main method for local production of potters kiln bricks has been associated with some problems. The production of brick (handmade brick) is found to be very slow, time consuming and labour intensive. This method of production is associated with irregular shapes due to its poor compaction capacity which affect lifespan of the kiln and insolation performance as well. Hence, there is need to attempt to produce potters kiln bricks with manual brickmaking machine which will minimize these problems. These manual bricks making machine was made primarily to produce concrete cement brick. The successful completion of this research will therefore lead to replacement of the soft mud brickmaking process, and also substitute the high-tech motorized Compressed Earth Brick (CEB) machine, with locally constructed brickmaking machine it will also improve the quality of the thermal and mechanical properties of the brick in terms of shape and form using the standard compaction pressure which is equivalent to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) stabilization standard. This will also help in reducing the cost of buying imported ceramic brick at a higher rate, as well as create self-employment opportunities and support the growth of contemporary pottery and ceramic entrepreneurship programme in Nigeria. Keywords: Kiln, brick, pottery, refractory DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-11-04 Publication date: April 30th 201