Course Description
Learn about the drying process in ceramic manufacturing
Students who complete the course will develop abilities to:
- Control dryers in processing of ceramics.
- Understand and recognize sources of drying defects.
- Gain insight into how processing prior to drying influences scrap rates.
- Adjust dryers as required by changes in seasonal ambient weather and by changes in production rates (throughput).
- Reduce cost of fuels used in preparation of make-up air for drying.
- Develop and maintain best practices in the laboratory (for those involved in product development).
Course Format
14 lessons | ~15 hours of instruction
- Unit 1: Overview of Drying and Dryers
- Unit 2: Psychrometry and Dryer Control
- Unit 3: Dryers, Dryer Control, and Future Developments
Student Resources
The book, Introduction to Drying of Ceramics by Brosnan and Robinson, is highly recommended for this recorded course. Homework will be assigned from this excellent reference book.
Students are encouraged to obtain a psychrometric app such as “Psychrometric Chart” by Modern Psychrometrics (a free app that works on an iPhone or iPad). This app has a maximum air temperature of 200oF/93oC, and it can be used to illustrate use of the chart.
*Employees of ACerS Corporate Partners receive the discounted Individual Member rate. Sapphire Corporate Partners receive an additional 20% discount; Diamond Corporate Partners receive an additional 30% discount. Please contact Customer Service or 614-890-4700 to register employees at the discounted Corporate Partner rates.
Denis Brosnan, Ph.D.
Denis Brosnan, P.E., FACerS, is a ceramic engineer specializing in processing, characterizing, and improving ceramic products while developing a specialization in forensic analysis. He is currently a consultant working on mineral issues, failure analysis, and historic materials characterization.
He previously taught courses in drying and firing of ceramics at Clemson University, worked for more than 20 years in industrial positions in refractories and technical ceramics, and coauthored the book Introduction to Drying of Ceramics.
Brosnan received the A. F. Greaves-Walker Award from the Society in 2016 and retired as the Bishop Endowed Chair Emeritus from Clemson University. Brosnan holds a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from Iowa State University.
