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Kiln Venting Systems
Venting the kiln of fumes is essential to producing quality ware. All products fired in electric kilns contain organic materials that make carbon monoxide and other fumes when they are burned. Fumes released may contain sulfur oxides, hydrogen fluoride and metal vapors, depending on the products fired. Carbon monoxide and other fumes can affect the color and properties of the fired product if they are not removed from the kiln earlier in the firing.Venting fumes from the room is essential to creating a quality work enviroment. OSHA has set standards for carbon monoxide exposure of 35 ppm (parts per million) for long-term exposure and 200 PPM for short-term exposure. Independent testing has shown that fumes near the kiln can exceed 200 PPM near the kiln during the firing of greenware. This can cause headaches, fatigue, sore throats and nausea. When properly installed and operated, a downdraft vent removes ALL harmful fumes and provides a safer working environment.
Proper Kiln venting will prevent:
- Unburned carbon in bisque ware that causes crazing, pinholes or blisters during glaze firing.
- Dulled surfaces and cloudy colors.
- Weak colors in red-orange-yellow glazes.
- Color migration caused by glaze fumes depositing on nearby ware.
- Cones which bend improperly due to inadequate oxygen.
Kiln Venting Options:
- Natural ventilation from open doors and windows
- Room ventilation fans
- Covection canopy collection hoods
- Mechanical fan collection hoods
- Mechanical downdraft vent systems
What the main differences between venting systems? (courtesy: Skutt Kilns)
Window ventilation and convection hoods are passive- the warm fumes rise, and hopefully, are dilluted or escape. This requires large volumes of fresh air which is costly in the winter.
Convection hoods with electric fans do a better job of removing fumes but fumes still enter the room airbefore they are collected. External hood do not help kiln performance.
Mechanical downdraft systems such as the Skutt EnviroVent2, were developed to address both these needs:
-Improved kiln firing chamber heat distribution and and circulation for more consistent firing results and
-Removal of fumes directly from the kiln before they can pose a health hazard. Little or no odor can be detected.
Read more about Kiln Venting here: The Facts About Kiln Venting by Skutt: 4 page PDF File
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