kiln A furnace used for firing ceramics. The best known type is the rotary kiln used chiefly for cement: the burners are at the lower end of a slowly rotating cylinder, perhaps 100 meters long, which is at a slight angle to the horizontal. Material is placed in the upper end and slowly falls to the lower, where it is removed. In tunnel kilns the burners are at the center of a tunnel through which slowly pass cars loaded with material. Related category TECHNOLOGY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |