FOCUS : TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMAL PROCESS INDUSTRIES

Project: Field testing of a low capacity brick kilns under different conditions 

Funded By: Science and Society Division of Department of Science and Technology. 

Duration: November 2007 to October 2009

This new project that has been recently sanctioned (November 2007). The technology of the low capacity brick kiln was developed jointly by Gramavidya and TIDE as a part of the core grant activities. DST wanted to assess the receptivity to the technology by brick makers in different parts of south India and obtain recommendations on its further dissemination.  The rationale for the technology development and the project was that there exists a large segment of small unorganized brick makers who operate of slender margins because of high cost of fuel and poor quality of bricks. There has been no technology intervention that looks at upgrading the output or the facilities of small brick makers.

The objectives of the project were: 

• To install the low capacity brick kiln (LCBK) in 5 locations and obtain user response

• To collect field data about performance of the kiln under different conditions

• To identify target users of the LCBK and develop a dissemination plan

• To identify potential lending agencies, develop draft loan documents for potential rural enterprises

The project activities involve identification of sites for field testing the LCBK, field visits to Gramavidya by the identified brick makers, construction of the LCBK in field sites, supervised operation and data collection. Based on the user response the kiln design would be further modified, if required. This would be followed by an assessment of the suitability of the kiln for operation under different situations. The target users would be identified and a dissemination plan developed.

TIDE is currently interacting with a brick maker in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu for installation of a brick kiln.