The maintenance of a tunnel kiln in a clay sintered brick plant is by no means limited to kiln cars, fans, burners, high-temperature bearings, etc. In fact, it is a comprehensive maintenance system integrating a complete thermal system, a mechanical maintenance system, and an automatic control system.
Systematic maintenance in the daily operation and management of a brick plant is the guarantee of normal production. Based on years of brick plant EPC project experience and observations, Brictec has found that many brick plants lack systematic daily maintenance standards and inspection checklists. Brictec has now compiled the core tunnel kiln maintenance system for reference.
Tunnel kiln maintenance can be divided into six major systems:
Key inspection points: Refractory brick falling off / cracking, insulation layer pulverization, arch crown sagging, expansion joint failure.
Common problems: Air leakage, increased heat loss.
Inspection items: Steel structure deformation, weld cracking, proper thermal expansion compensation.
Key points: Sealing performance (very critical), air leakage condition, smooth operation of opening/closing mechanism.
Maintenance focus: Nozzle carbon deposition / clogging, stable flame shape, normal ignition system.
Common problems: Flame deflection, excessively long/short flame, local overburning or underburning.
Natural gas system: Pressure reducing valve, flow meter, pipeline sealing.
Heavy oil system: Heating system, filtration system, injection pressure.
Inspection: Air flow stability, impeller dust accumulation, vibration.
Key control: Stable micro-negative pressure, preventing cold air backflow.
Inspection: Blockage, air leakage, dust accumulation.
Includes: Thermocouples, temperature controllers.
Problems: Temperature drift, measurement point distortion.
Inspection: Thrust stability, stroke control, chain wear.
Key points: Rail levelness, gauge, local settlement.
Inspection: Kiln car sand seal, sealing plate.
Inspection: Program stability, signal feedback.
Includes: Temperature, pressure, flow.
Problem: Error accumulation → firing curve out of control.
Examples: Electric valves, damper actuators.
Inspection: Response speed, accuracy.
Maintenance includes: Drying fans, hot air pipes, humidity control.
The biggest hidden dangers of a tunnel kiln: Kiln door, kiln car, kiln body cracks.
Not just "temperature is high enough", but: whether the curve is stable + whether it is repeatable.
Determines: Brick color, strength, cracks.