Kiln

**Kiln Basics and History:**
– Etymology of the word “kiln” from Old English and Latin roots
– Uses of kilns for pottery making and ceramic manufacture
– Evolution of kiln types from ancient pit-fired kilns to modern electric and retort kilns
– Chinese kiln technology advancements in pottery firing
– Various types of kilns like continuous, intermittent, shuttle, and traditional kilns

**Modern Kiln Technologies:**
– Introduction of electric kilns in the 20th century for smaller-scale use
– Efficiency improvements with kilns like the feller kiln and microwave-assisted firing
– Wood-drying kilns using steam, dehumidification, and solar energy
– Microwave kilns designed for use in standard microwave ovens
– Vacuum and radio frequency kilns for faster wood drying

**Wood Drying and Firewood Kilns:**
– Conventional wood-drying kilns and their drying times and temperature ranges
– Various wood drying technologies like dehumidification and solar kilns
– Economic considerations of wood drying technologies
– Kiln-dried firewood benefits for economic reasons
– Impact of firewood quality on kiln operation and burning efficiency

**Types of Kilns and Operation:**
– Different types of kilns such as saggar, shuttle, bell, tunnel, and roller kilns
– Operation of kilns with computerized controls and pyrometric cones for temperature regulation
– Limitations and considerations for microwave kilns and hardwood conventional kilns
– Reversing fan directions in kilns for even drying
– Importance of quality firewood for efficient kiln operation

**Additional Resources and References:**
– Various references and resources for kiln design and operation
– External links to further information on kilns and firing structures
– Specific references to books like ‘The Potter’s Dictionary of Materials and Techniques’
– Links to resources on Wiktionary, Wikimedia Commons, and historical dictionaries
– Information on kiln-dried firewood heating, regulations, and guidelines for firewood qualityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiln