Moulded bricks can not be burnt directly as they may get cracked or distorted. Hence, before burning they are dried. Natural drying or artificial drying may be resorted to. The bricks are left to dry for about two weeks.
1. Natural Drying
It is also called hack drying. It comprises placing moulded bricks in rows on their edges on a slightly raised ground called a hack. A small space is given between bricks for the circulation of air. Direct exposure to sun is avoided by providing a cover and it is also protected from the rain. The air- and sun-dried bricks are strong enough and can be used for the construction of small structures.
2. Artificial Drying
When bricks are needed continuously and to a large scale, artificial drying is resorted to. The bricks are dried in special dryers which receive heat from special furnaces that are made especially for this purpose. Hot flue gases from the chambers of a kiln and waste steam from engines may also be used for the artificial drying of bricks.
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