Design of fuel efficient brick kiln for ceramic water filter firing in Ghana

Abstract

Ceramic water filters are currently produced in Ghana in order to provide a household solution to contaminated water. These filters, locally branded with the name Kosim filter by originating from Potters for Peace-Nicaragua, are heated using a generic kiln that is not attuned to the filters' current characteristics. The need for water filters is currently greatest in Northern Ghana, where more than one million people do not have access to safe water, but filter production occurs in Southern Ghana. A custom kiln will strengthen the filters, increase the filter's survival rate, and eliminate the need to transport the filters. Additionally, the traditional fuel source, wood, is extremely scarce, thus indicating the need for a more fuel efficient method of firing the kiln. Our thesis focuses on evaluating prior kilns built in developing countries and designing a fuel efficient kiln for Northern Ghana, where a kiln does not currently exist and fuel is scarce.