Experimental Lime Kiln
Experimental Lime Kiln (the ELK)
The pictures (right) show the progress in construction of the ELK during late September and late November 1999. The top image is of the double thickness refractory brick Kiln shaft complete at its full 5 metre height with the steel chimney being lifted on, and the lower picture shows the finished kiln.
The Experimental Lime Kiln, now complete, adjacent to the headquarters of the Scottish Lime Centre Trust at Charlestown in Fife, is a unique research facility in the UK and perhaps the only such resource in the hands of a Higher Education Institute anywhere (corrections and future collaborations willingly accepted!).
The search for lime-based mortars, grouts and renders that are truly compatible with the fabric of historic buildings the world over continues. The Experimental Lime Kiln will allow researchers in academia and industry to get at the heart of this problem. Knowledge of raw materials, the calcination conditions and the practical performance of the limes produced will be integrated to improve the specification of replacement and repair materials for effective conservation and restoration of the built heritage. Limestones will be burnt for the production of fresh quicklime, in a traditional, but highly monitored, manner.
