Thermal energy reduction in sanitary-ware industry by heat-recovering thermal engineering technologies

Ceramic industry manufacturing requires a great amount of thermal energy. Its sustainability and environmental impact demand an effort to develop more efficient technologies to reduce the consumption of fuel, mainly natural gas. In particular, the sanitary-ware production sector presents a defined special map of consumption through the manufacturing process because of the heat amounts and thermal levels of temperature. The aim of this research is to quantify the potential reduction of fuel consumption within a standard factory of sanitary-ware articles. The scope of it covers the main gas consumers, namely, kilns, dryers, heating units, or boilers. The method is based in a simulation of the process by modeling the thermophysics of the consumers, then plotting the heat recovery from one to another in order to save natural gas input. The research shows how the thermal requirement would be cut by almost a half within the factory consumption. It is consequently concluded that efficiency, environmental impact, and sustainability of this industrial sector would be improved, so as the global economy related with a potential growth of this industry, mainly in developing countries. Graphical abstract Highlights Thermal consumption reduction in a sanitary-ware factory is presented and validated. Heat recovery from kilns provides thermal energy for the rest of the thermal consumers. Energy management accounting as an extension to environmental management accounting is provided. The proposed method produces reductions of resources and economic improvements.

Leading and Governing the ‘Room for Imagination’ of the UAE Provider of Integrated Ceramics Solutions

This case discusses the growth and development of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Ceramics, a global manufacturer of high-quality ceramics, gres porcellanato wall and floor tiles, faucets and sanitary ware. From its launch in 1989 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), RAK Ceramics’ ambition is to provide lifestyle solutions for walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchens and large iconic buildings locally and in the broader Middle Eastern region and beyond. The case analyses internal predispositions and corporate governance frameworks that allowed the company to evolve from a domestically focused ceramics company to an organization with a solid international presence in a short period. Despite multiple challenges that constantly impact the ceramics industry, the company was able to navigate through external changes by preserving the focus on the core business and staying at the forefront of innovative trends to integrate advanced technological solutions into its products. With its current corporate standing and considering the evolving macro-environmental trends, what strategic actions should be pursued by RAK Ceramics to sustain its rate of corporate growth and enhance its position in the global ceramics industry?

Preparation, microstructure studies and mechanical properties of glazes ceramic sanitary ware based on kaolin

In this paper, the use of local kaolin coming from Djebel Debbagh (denoted DD1) in the composition of ceramic glazes for sanitary ware was examined. Because of its natural abundance, low price and good characteristics, this kaolin represents an interesting economic alternative to other mineral clays. The chemical composition showed that this kaolin contains 38.49 wt.% Al2O3 and 44.85 wt.% SiO2. Two glazes based on kaolin DD1 denoted as GaDD1 and GbDD1 were prepared with conventional ceramic processing techniques at temperature 1250 oC. As a reference, another glaze (Gref) based on kaolin Remblend was also prepared in the same conditions. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscope. The results revealed that zircon and quartz are the crystalline phases present in these glazes. In the sample GaDD1, it was found that the degree of whiteness is very high and reaches 93.30 %. However, the water absorption coefficient is low which is about 0.19 ? 0.04 %. In addition, the flexural strength and the Vickers microhardness are respectively, about 56.07 ? 5.61 MPa and 7952.80 ? 101.76 MPa. These properties are compatible with those of the glaze reference Gref and commercial sanitary ware glazes, indicating the potential use of kaolin DD1 in the production of glazed ceramic for sanitary ware applications.