CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Kiln is an insulating fire chamber having the ability to retain the heat that is

generated or directed into it (Etuokwu, 2013). Kiln is used for processes like activated

coal regeneration, ignite degasification, municipal waste disposal, scrap tire recycling,

sewage sludge disposal, soil cleaning and waste wood recycling. It can also be used as

a rotary dryer to remove water and moisture content from solid substances by

introducing hot gases into a drying chamber (Sendhilumar & Vijayan, 2014).

A kiln is also a special type of oven or a thermally insulated chamber that

produces temperatures enough for hardening, drying, or chemical changes such as

calcination. Calcination is a process of heating a substance under controlled

temperature and environment (Bhattacharya & Kaur, 2011). It is performed frequently in

directly fired rotary kilns as well as in shaft kilns, fluidized-bed reactors, flash calcining

systems and other equipment suitable for calcination operations (Chorney, 2019). One

of the classic examples is the decomposition of calcium carbonate to the oxide or lime in

common term (Brook, 2012).

Lime is a versatile chemical and its manufacture and uses are fundamental to the

society (Krukowski, 2006). It is used in environmental, metallurgical, construction,

chemical and industrial applications. In chemical and industrial uses, it can be for

manufacturing chemicals and production of precipitated calcium carbonate. It can be

formed by burning of limestone. The lime obtained from calcination of pure limestone is

known as quick lime. It generally consists of oxides of calcium and it is not crystalline. It
shows grave affinity to moisture. Lime is also obtained by burning or calcining shells of

sea animals etc. (Abbas, 2018).

The Philippines is an archipelago of some 7,107 islands. The country is bounded

by different bodies of water. Livelihood of many citizens depends on marine resources

such as fishing, beaches, and restaurants. With huge dependence to this type of

livelihood, waste from this area is also big. One example is the waste seashells. Waste

shells create several serious problems, however, only parts of them are being utilized

now.

Among the main contributors to waste seashells, Slipper-cupped oyster

(Crassostrea iredalei) shells are very common which can be found all throughout the

country. These shells contain sufficient amount of calcium carbonate which is good in

the production of lime. Shells, like that of Slipper-cupped oyster or “talaba” are already

proven to have its composition of 95% calcium carbonate (Hamester et al., 2012).

Oysters are very common in the seafood restaurants in Iloilo because the Seafood

Capital of the Philippines is located in Western Visayas. In contrast, shells are

considered wastes and contribute to the degradation of the environment.

Waste shells of Slipper-cupped oyster are hard to dispose and they are essential

to find a way to get rid of them and also to benefit from them. Using these shells as a

primary source of lime is of great help not just to society but to nature as well. With this,

the researchers want to fabricate a kiln for the production of lime and came up with the

study entitled, “Design and Fabrication of Downdraft Kiln for Production of Lime

from Slipper-cupped Oyster Shells (Crassostrea iredalei, Faustino)”.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

General Objective

The main objective of this study is to design and fabricate a kiln for the

production of lime from Slipper-cupped oyster shells.

Specific Objectives

To achieve the main objective of this study, the following are the specific
objectives:

1. To design and fabricate a kiln

2. To have the slipper-cupped oyster shells undergo calcination

3. To evaluate the designed and fabricated kiln

1.3 Significance of the Study

This study is to design and fabricate a kiln for production of lime from Slipper-

cupped oyster shells and the result will be beneficial to the following:

Environment. Shells of Slipper-cupped oyster will be used which are considered as

waste, it will help lessen the environmental problem such as land pollution.

Coastal community. Aside from gaining an income with the seafood, local vendors could

gain an extra income by converting waste Slipper-cupped shells into lime and be sold in

the market.

Seafood establishments. Waste Slipper-cupped oyster shells can be a source of income

if sold.

Entrepreneurs. The designed and fabricated kiln will be a good new source of income

since it is cheaper compared to the ones in the market and easy to fabricate. The

materials for construction can be locally found.

Future Researchers. This research study can be used as a basis for further researches

regarding this topic or area.

1.4 Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally for the purpose

of clarity and understanding.

Calcination. It refers to a broad class of reactions in which a substance is heated so that

a chemical or physical change takes place. (Kogel et al., 2006)

This process is used to produce lime from ground shells of oyster through

burning in a kiln.

Kiln. It is a special kind of oven for firing or burning or drying things like pottery and

bricks.(www.vocabulary.com)

This equipment is used to burn the ground shells by the process of calcination.

Lime. It is the general term for the various forms of calcium oxide and/or hydroxide with

lesser amounts of magnesium oxide and/or hydroxide. (Oates, 1998)

It is used as basis for the productivity of the designed and fabricated kiln.

Slipper-cupped oyster shells. It is generally whitish gray in outer shell color and their

inside is usually porcelain white. (www.nationalgeographic.com)

The shells are used in production of lime.

1.5 Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on the design and fabrication of kiln for the production of lime.

The shells of Slipper-cupped oyster in ground form will be used to produce lime.

Calcination process is done with the use of the designed and fabricated kiln. The

effectivity of the designed and fabricated kiln will be determined only by the quality of

lime produced.