Electric ceramics kiln are very simple structures. They are essentially closed boxes made from soft, porous, highly insulating refractories. Inside the electric kiln, running along channels grooved into its walls, are coils made from a special alloy. Heat is produced by forcing a great deal of electric current through these tightly wound coils. The result is friction and the result of the friction is heat. The study analyzes how a newly designed Electric Ceramics Kiln would enhance the production of ceramic products and lower energy consumption by reducing the length of firing time to meet the desired firing temperature. The Applied Research design was employed specifically the Experimental Research. The performance of the existing Electric Ceramic Kiln of NVSU is compared to the newly designed electric ceramics kiln in terms of their length of firing time, energy consumption, and surface quality of fired ceramics. Result of the study showed that the new electric ceramics kiln has a much lesser length of firing time compared to the old electric ceramics kiln. A percentage reduction of the length of firing time for 750°C,850°C, 950°C, and 1050°C are 80.88%, 80.00%,75.38%, and 71.33%, respectively. The energy consumption of the new electric ceramics kiln is lower than the energy consumption of the existing electric ceramics kiln. The energy cost saved was P457.40, P552.90, P615.73, and P672 28 for the firing temperature of 750°C, 850°C, 950°C, and 1050°C, respectively. Further, on the surface quality of ceramics fired, both electric ceramics kiln wired in "WYE" and "DELTA" connection have surface quality evaluated as Grade C and generally considered acceptable.

Keywords: Electric Ceramics Kiln, energy consumption, surface quality, length of firing time.

Thesis (Master of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.