Diagnóstico produtivo e estudo comparativo de três tipos de fornos utilizados em indústrias de cerâmica vermelha do Município de Parelhas, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil.

Abstract

Northeast Brazil has one of the most resilient biomes on the planet, the caatinga, which suffers constant changes because of the irrational use of its natural resources. The ceramic companies located in this biome make use of these resources following the rhythm of construction. Brazil is a major global producer of ceramics, along with Spain, Italy and China, which increases the extraction of raw materials. In the state of Rio Grande do Norte these activities are well developed, especially in the Seridó Region. This study aimed to diagnose and compare the production of three types of furnaces used in three companies of red ceramic installed in the City of Parelhas -RN. Having as parameter the methods used by potters in the production process, the socioeconomic importance of these companies, employment generation, the amount and quality of final products, origin and use of plant biomass in furnaces and its Superior Calorific Value. We also assessed the production time of each furnace, the reuse of heat generated, quality classification and disposal of production, and final disposal of solid waste. ccompaniments of production and application of semistructured questionnaire were conducted in order to depict the methods used by potters. Samples were collected for analyzes of biomass calorific value. After the surveys, which showed an average of 40 direct jobs, 4.45% of total production of roof tiles, 0.47% of bricks and 0.77 % of the tiles produced in the state. The largest producer was the Ceramics A which features five dome type ovens, 79 hours per batch, 80 % of high quality products, 20 % lower quality and 0.5 % of disposal of output using the " cashew pruning" (Anacardium occidentale), algaroba (Prosopis juliflora) and briquette, followed by Ceramics B with three "Paulista" type double ovens, 72 hours per batch , 70 % of high quality products and 0.7 % of disposal using the "pruning cashew" and Ceramic C with four furnaces of the peasant type , 29.5 hours per batch, only 20% of high quality production, 80 % of lower quality and about 5% of disposal, using algarroba (Prosopis juliflora). The analysis showed that the calorific value of the briquettes has a higher power (4.285 kcal / kg), followed by algaroba (4.163 Kcal / Kg) and cashew (4.101 Kcal / kg).