Two views of intake ends of autoclaves.
B 10009/5
Description Two views of intake ends of autoclaves.
Date 17/8/1981
Collection Records of the Scottish Industrial Archaeology Survey at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Sco
Catalogue Number B 10009/5
Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images
Copies SC 730053
Scope and Content Autoclaves, Kirkforthar Brick Works, Fife The Kirkforthar Brick Works was formed in 1965 and run by the Kirkforthar Brick Co Ltd. They made sand/lime bricks by mixing 500kgs of sand with 35kgs of lime which were then chemically bonded. Local sand from Ladybank was used but, because local lime was not suitable for mixing with local sand, this had to be brought from Yorkshire. This shows the intake ends of the autoclaves made by Robert Jenkins & Co of Rotherham. The raw materials having been processed in the machine wing, the bricks were then steamed in the autoclaves for 12 hours at 180lbs per square inch pressure before it was turned off and allowed to cool over several hours. In 1981 Kirkforthar employed only eight people to produce 32,000 bricks per day. Autoclaves are long and cylindrical and the pressurised steam within them accelerates the chemical bond of the sand and lime. Sand/lime bricks are more highly regarded for their appearance than their weather-resistant qualities. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
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