Luitreth Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 I have just built a two burner gas kiln and just fired it up for a test run this morning, my question is that I have several methods of controlling the gas flow to the burners, each burner has a control valve, the propane cylinder has a valve that to a certain extent can be controlled and the pressure gauge also has a valve to adjust the psi. At the moment I have the cylinder opened all the way, the pressure gauge set to 3 psi and have been controlling the burners by their own control valves, is this the best way to do it?? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1515art Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 The cylinder valve is on/off I don’t believe you have any reasonable control over the flow, the regulator is what you should be using to control the rate of rise in temperature, if you are using a Venturi type of burner the adjustment for air control is at the burner some burners may also have a shutoff valve at the burner and this can also be adjusted to control and balance the kiln the last control you have would be the damper this is used to control pressure inside the kiln as well as the atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 Thanks for coming back, here's a couple of pictures, I am controlling the flame using the regulator knob on the burners, the yellow is an on/off valve. Just wondered if the way to go was open both burners full and control the flame by adjusting the pressure gauge regulator, probably doesn't make much difference I guess, just that way both burners would be getting equal gas whereas adjusting each burner individually it's more guess work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 I always found it easier to open the burners all the way and use the single regulator after the tank valve. Whatever you find works best for you is the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 Yes I think I'll try that next time and see how that goes, thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPots Posted June 14, 2019 Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 If you had a pressure gauge after the last common valve, you'd be able to keep track of the gas pressure in the kiln at each stage of the firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2019 Yes I have got a pressure gauge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1515art Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 I see a T just after the regulator I’m not sure what you have on each end of that, the second picture shows a check valve to your pilot safety shut-off and then there is a knob I’m assuming controls the flame to the pilot? Are you running a separate line from the T at the regulator to each burner? All of my setups start with some type of gas shutoff valve, with natural gas that valve controls the rate of flow on lpg the shut off valve is followed by a gas pressure regulator some type of gauge is next in line on both systems so I can monitor pressure and consistently reproduce results maintaining the kiln optimally during the firing cycle, my kilns also have air control being a screw disk air gate or forced blower giving me control over the air to gas mixture this will provide some of the atmosphere control (oxidation/reduction) where I have a valve at the burner I usually only use that to shut off one or more burners during candling (water smoking) otherwise they are all full open, lastly is the damper on top of the kiln also controlling kiln atmosphere and pressure giving you some control over heat distribution the air control will also affect heat balance and works in combination with the damper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 From the T a line goes to each burner, there is no pilot on the burners, the shutoff is a thermocouple, the knob controls the gas flow through the burner ie crack it open it candles, whack it right open it roars. I was just wondering whether best to control the flame from the burner knob or the regulator/pressure gauge, as I can do both I will see which works best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Banks Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 4 hours ago, Luitreth said: I was just wondering whether best to control the flame from the burner knob or the regulator/pressure gauge, as I can do both I will see which works best. The little kiln I know runs just fine controlled individually by the dials on the torches. The only time this is useful is below 600 degrees. To keep the kiln from heating too quickly the burners get lit and increased in turns, alternating burners every 30 mins or so 1/4 dial at a time until 3/4 open on both burners. At this point both burners get increased together from 3/4 to 1 and from 1 to 2. They remain at 2 full turns until shutoff or someone wants to control the cooling. The little soft brick kiln heats and cools quickly so it's fun to fire but will fire quickly if not held back with the damper in a somewhat nuetral position after the body reduction. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 Thank you that is very useful information. My first burn certainly showed that it really does need holding back, went off like a rocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Banks Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, Luitreth said: ... went off like a rocket. I love firing kilns but will never fully trust them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 Aside from candling with a reduced burner number I used to control the gas flow at ths psi gauge. The first one out of the gas bottle is a regulator to govern with ref. to the line capacity as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luitreth Posted June 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 Yes Babs there is a regulator on the pressure gauge which will effectively control both burners, I have a chart which relates psi to btu for these particular burners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 That's the one then! Keep a log of each firing. Dance the damper; airflow, gas dance till you're happy! I miss my gas kiln. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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