Experience with clay calcination in a vortex bed.

The experiments show that it is possible in principle to use new methods of calcining clays into grogs in equipment of the vortex type. In spite of the very short firing time, the clay substance undergoes extensive mullite formation, although the process of sintering cannot be considered as fully completed. The grog obtained can be used for making foamed lightweight fireclay refractories. This grog will find use for making heat-resistant concretes and mortars and also for refractory bricks. The experimental work on the calcination of refractory clays in a vortex furnace should be continued to explain the technical and economic effectiveness of firing and to produce coarse grogs and also data for planning an experimental-industrial plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]