THE HABLA KILN

The Habla Kiln was invented by a German Engineer, Alois Habla who came from a family with over 200 years history of brick making. Over 150 Habla kilns were built in Germany, America and England between the early 1930’s and the commencement of World War 2. Post war, extreme labour shortages and the introduction of ‘guest workers’ in Germany made the highly automated, labour saving, tunnel kiln popular. Fuel efficiency was not a consideration.

The Habla Kiln concept is simple.

It features a long fire zone moving through stationary bricks. The fire zone is advanced by a low horsepower, induced draft, axial flow fan. The Habla Kiln consumes less fuel, less mechanical energy and requires far less capital outlay with almost no maintenance. UNIDO examined and approved the technology in both 1984 and 1998.

Habla kiln technology offers a solution to the environmental impact of climate change. The kilns are economical to build, environmentally friendly, use commercially proven technology, and due to its unique design allows for the use of cheaper inferior fuels while still retaining efficiency and low pollution.

The Habla kiln comes in all sizes to suit, the semi-continuous village application in rural settings to the large brickyard outputs of 500,000 bricks per week.

The unique Habla kiln technology provides a far superior, safer and cleaner working environment for its workforce. The Habla kiln is particularly suited to developing countries where labour is cheap and technology is antiquated. Many have tried to copy the technology but have had no success in achieving the same efficient design and result.

KEY BENEFITS

The key benefits of Habla Kiln technology set it apart:

HIGHLY EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION
The Habla kiln is simple and economical to construct. It is adaptable and scaleable to condition and output requirements. It can also be run in intermittent or continuous modes. Part of the kiln structure is made up of un-burnt bricks, when these are burnt they become a saleable product. Dust and smoke is reduced to a minimum, bricks are easily moved in and out of the kiln.

LOW CO² EMISSION
The most common kiln used in the developing world is the Clamp Kiln where the introduction of the Habla Kiln could reduce CO² emissions by up to 80%. The Habla Kiln emission standard is equal to those of the tunnel kiln used in developed countries.

EFFICIENT USE OF FUEL
The Habla Kiln is the most fuel efficient kiln yet invented. The long zigzag fire zone allows even the most inferior fuels to be used with more complete combustion. Both heat and fuel within the kiln is used efficiently. There is little masonry to heat up and a long fire zone (as in the tunnel kiln), and a lack of dead areas. Once the bricks have been burnt the heat is recovered and re-used to pre-dry bricks for burning. Part of the structure of the kiln are un-burnt bricks and when burnt they become product. The Habla kiln has no tall, fuel wasting chimney. The heat is used to dry the bricks.

USES ALL CLAYS AND ALL FUELS
The Habla Kiln with controlled pre-drying can burn more sensitive clays, and performs as well with all clay types and with all commonly used fuels. The Habla kiln uses an estimated 33% less fuel than a typical Bull Trench kiln and up to 75% more efficient than a Clamp Kiln.

ALL YEAR PRODUCTION CAPABILITY
The kiln has a roof structure enabling it to be operated in monsoonal conditions. This extends the brick making season, improving output and in turn improves the economic return to the community. This is now more important than ever with the changing weather patterns due to climate change.

HIGH QUALITY BRICK PRODUCTION
The Habla Kiln produces consistently high quality bricks, with even shrinkage and cure. It has a large capacity relative to its small footprint.

IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS
The general working conditions are significantly improved. The workers are sheltered from the elements. Due to greater and improved fuel combustion there is no black smoke and soot. Workers are removed from the immediate and enveloping pollution. The bricks are easily accessible and the workers are not working in the heat of the sun or in the rain.

CONTINUOUS OR INTERMITTENT MODE
The Habla kiln can be operated in semi-continuous and continuous modes, depending on local requirements and production output required making it flexible and cost effective.

PRESERVES BRICK INDUSTRY JOBS
Any replacement technology in the developing countries should preserve existing jobs and be suitable for the local labour force with minimum training and education. The Habla kiln achieves this.