A powder that makes miracles
The brick-maker prepares
the next burning in his rustic oven, but this time there is a
difference in his routine: into the moist clay he will mix a very
fine white powder given to him by a young researcher from CIDEM who
is visiting his workshop. The young man explains that implementation
of this material, baptized by a countryside brick-maker as PROVID,
will bring about significant savings in the production process,
because of its properties as a fluxing material. While the
brick-maker had his doubts, his curiosity stimulated his trying the
new product.
By Prof. Dr. Fernando Martirena
Fluxing materials are materials that modify the mineralogical properties of clays and bring about the process that causes the hardening of the bricks during the burning, scientifically known as "sintering", occurs at lower temperatures and in less time. Thus, it is possible to achieve significant savings in brick production by reducing the consumption of energy during fabrication.
This product is the result
of more than 6 years of work of a scientific team at CIDEM, where
architect Dania Betancourt stands out, and who shortly will defend
her thesis in Havana to obtain the degree of Doctor of Technical
Sciences. As well, Dr. Robert Day of the University of Calgary in
Canada has provided valuable cooperation.
The first positive judgment of results were obtained in Cuba in 2004. At that time it was decided to protect this product as intellectual property, and the process of registering the patent in Cuba and Canada began (Patent No. VC2004-0034, registered June 15, 2004). This will formally allow that the favourable qualities of this product always be used under the supervision of and with the authorization of the owners of the patent, in this case a team from CIDEM and the University of Calgary.
PROVID can be produced a very low cost with waste materials from certain productive activities. To grind it equipment developed and commercialized by EcoSur can be used, such as the MB-600 ball mill. Its use does not introduce substantial modifications in the brick production process.
The best range of application has been determined as between 2-5% of the weight of the clay used, depending upon its characteristics. It use has brought about reduction of burning temperatures, usually in the area of 1100 oC, to less than 900 oC. In many cases a time reduction of more than 50% also has been reported and, in all cases, the bricks produced are between 30-50% more resistant than bricks without PROVID. Onsite production plant applications of this product have demonstrated its functional efficiency. Recent trials made in an important brick factory in Ecuador have provided most satisfactory results, and ways are being studied to augment its production and application.
This time the brick-maker will be able to ascertain with satisfaction the results of using this marvellous powder, which not only brings about a noticeable reduction in production costs, but also improves the quality of his bricks, together leading to economic benefits. He has insistently solicited from the young researcher to supply more batches of PROVID, a product that from now on will become part of his customary primer material.
