Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb body and for manufacturing a cordierite honeycomb body. The honeycomb body is heated from an initial kiln temperature to a first kiln temperature that is from about 300° C. to 400° C., at an oxygen concentration greater than 16%. The honeycomb body is heated to a second kiln temperature that is from about 600° C. to 700° C. at a second heating rate of greater than 125° C./hr. The honeycomb body is heated to a third kiln temperature that is from about 800° C. to 900° C. at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the second heating rate. The honeycomb body is heated to a fourth kiln temperature that is from about 1300° C. to 1450° C. at a fourth heating rate that is less than or equal to the third heating rate.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb body and for manufacturing a cordierite honeycomb body. The honeycomb body is heated from an initial kiln temperature to a first kiln temperature that is from about 300° C. to 400° C., at an oxygen concentration greater than 16%. The honeycomb body is heated to a second kiln temperature that is from about 600° C. to 700° C. at a second heating rate of greater than 125° C./hr. The honeycomb body is heated to a third kiln temperature that is from about 800° C. to 900° C. at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the second heating rate. The honeycomb body is heated to a fourth kiln temperature that is from about 1300° C. to 1450° C. at a fourth heating rate that is less than or equal to the third heating rate.

Abstract: A shuttle kiln (100) according to certain aspects includes at least one flue channel (124) and multiple flue risers (122) in fluid communication with the flue channel (124), and at least one shuttle (104) defining multiple exhaust shafts (140) arranged above the multiple flue risers (122), wherein an aggregate volume of a first exhaust shaft/riser pair (140-1, 122-1) differs from an aggregate volume of a second exhaust shaft/riser pair (140-2, 122-2). Such configuration at least partially compensates for different backpressures that would otherwise be experienced by flue gas exiting a shuttle kiln cavity (138) through different exhaust shafts (140), thereby improving uniformity of flue gas flow and reducing temperature variability within a kiln cavity (138).

Abstract: A system for treating an air stream exhausted from a firing kiln utilized to heat a ceramic substrates includes an outlet assembly and a thermal oxidizer. The outlet assembly may be in fluid communication with the firing kiln, and may be operational to receive an exhaust gas stream and a waste heat stream from the firing kiln. A temperature of the waste heat stream may be greater than the exhaust gas stream such that a temperature of an air stream comprising the waste heat stream and the exhaust gas stream within the outlet assembly is greater than the exhaust gas stream. The thermal oxidizer may be in fluid communication with the outlet assembly to receive the air stream and remove pollutants from the air stream.

Abstract: Cellular ceramic green bodies are debindered in a heated circulating oxygen-containing atmosphere while being supported on a plurality of flow-restricting support members for selectively restricting circulation of the atmosphere through cellular core sections of the bodies, and while allowing for a free circulation of the atmosphere past the support members and green bodies.

Abstract: A system for treating an air stream exhausted from a firing kiln utilized to heat a ceramic substrates includes an outlet assembly and a thermal oxidizer. The outlet assembly may be in fluid communication with the firing kiln, and may be operational to receive an exhaust gas stream and a waste heat stream from the firing kiln. A temperature of the waste heat stream may be greater than the exhaust gas stream such that a temperature of an air stream comprising the waste heat stream and the exhaust gas stream within the outlet assembly is greater than the exhaust gas stream. The thermal oxidizer may be in fluid communication with the outlet assembly to receive the air stream and remove pollutants from the air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally debinding a cellular ceramic green body includes a duct preferably defined between a first housing and a second housing. A carrier assembly for the green body is adapted for arrangement within a channel such that the green body is positioned between a first portion of the channel and a second portion of the channel. The apparatus further includes a nozzle positioned to inject gases from the duct into a first portion of the channel and a recirculation fan positioned to draw gases out of a second portion of the channel and discharge the gases into the duct. Also described is a carrier assembly including a base support comprising a plurality of spaced stringer beams having spaces between adjacent ones; and a plurality of ring supports including openings, said ring supports mounted on, and bridging the spaces between, the stringer beams, the ring supports having a surface adapted to support the green body.