Experimental and numerical analysis of the artisanal brick-burning process in an MK2 Kiln

Abstract It is important for artisanal brick producers to maintain or improve their productivity levels in order for their activity to remain profitable, as many families depend on this activity economically. The MK2 kiln is an alternative that aims to improve energy efficiency and emissions reduction compared to other kilns for artisanal production. This study presents an experimental analysis and numerical simulation of the heat transfer process during brick firing in an MK2 kiln. Simulations are important because they provide results from inside the kiln, such as temperature profiles and fluid behavior, which would otherwise be difficult to measure. This is why studies on this type of kiln are limited. This research is based on experimental work that provided temperature profiles and an energy balance for the kiln. The brick-firing process was simulated using a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)-RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) (k-ε) model for turbulence in the ANSYS CFX® program under transient conditions. The results show the distribution of the temperature profile inside the kiln over time, as well as the dynamic behavior of the flue gases. The calculated temperature profiles show a similar behavior to that obtained experimentally, which validates the numerical-experimental model. These simulation results allow a better understanding of the phenomena occurring during brick firing in an MK kiln, such as the current lines of the combustion gases. The understanding of these phenomena allows the authors to propose some improvements in the arrangement of the bricks in order to make better use of the heat generated to burn the bricks.