Comparative Analysis of Gas Emissions from Ecokiln and Artisanal Brick Kiln during the Artisanal Firing of Bricks

Juan Figueroa, Hugo Valdes (), Juan Vilches, Walter Schmidt, Felipe Valencia, Viviana Torres, Luis Diaz-Robles, Pedro Muñoz, Viviana Letelier (), Valentina Morales and Marion Bustamante
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Juan Figueroa: Centro de Innovación de Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Hugo Valdes: Centro de Innovación de Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Juan Vilches: Departamento de Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Walter Schmidt: Doctoral Program in Engineering, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Felipe Valencia: Centro de Innovación de Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Viviana Torres: Centro de Innovación de Ingeniería Aplicada (CIIA), Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Luis Diaz-Robles: Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Bioprocesos, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9160000, Chile
Pedro Muñoz: INeS Research Group, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, Spain
Viviana Letelier: Departamento de Ingeniería de Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Valentina Morales: Departamento de Obras Civiles, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile
Marion Bustamante: Doctoral Program in Engineering at the Macrofacultad de Ingeniería UFRO-UBB-UTAL, Temuco 4780000, Chile

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: This article focuses on the research of gas emissions in two types of brick kilns located in the Maule Region, Chile. One of them is an artisanal brick kiln known as a “chonchón” (AKC), while the other is a semi-artisanal brick kiln with an improved design. The latter is referred to as the Ecokiln. This study focuses on the assessment of the emission profiles of key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , and NOx. The emission measurements of gasses, temperature, and flow were conducted during the operation of the kilns. These measurements were carried out following the protocol established by Chilean standards. The Ecokiln’s design facilitates optimal fluid dynamics. In direct comparison to the AKC, it exhibits reduced fuel consumption, shorter operation periods, an increased brick processing capacity, decreased burnt brick losses, and notably lower emissions, with a concentration of SO 2 that is 83% less than that of the AKC, NOx emissions, 58% lower than the AKC, and a remarkable 74.3% reduction in PM10 emissions. Moreover, the Ecokiln reduces pollutant emissions, improving the well-being of brickmakers and their communities. These results offer insights into the environmental impact of local brick production and support sustainable manufacturing practices.

Keywords: brick kiln; brickmakers; eco-design; environmental impact; gas emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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