Description |
1 online resource (xix, 216 pages) : illustrations |
Series |
CEL - Canadian Publishers Collection
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Contents |
1. The Nature of Heat and the Management of Its Temperature -- 2. How Furnaces Work -- 3. The Properties and Combustion of Biomass -- 4. Furnace Configurations for Biomass Fuel -- 5. Products Made in Antiquity in Biomass Fuelled Furnaces -- 6. The Manufacture and Properties of Charcoal -- 7. Combustion in Beds of Lump Charcoal -- 8. Combustion Air Supply for Charcoal -- 9. Furnace Configurations for Charcoal Fuel -- 10. The Reduction of Metals and the Functions of Slags -- 11. The Smelting of Copper -- 12. The Smelting, Forging, and Properties of Iron -- 13. Fuel Consumption by Pyrotechnology in Antiquity -- 14. Fuel Supply and Deforestation -- 15. Artifacts from the Operation of Furnaces -- App. 1. Combustion in Fuel Beds of Charcoal -- App. 2. Pressure Drop in Tuyeres and Fuel Beds and Power Required -- App. 3. Natural Draft in Fuel Beds -- App. 4. A Furnace to Reliably Make a Bloom of Iron |
Summary |
Because pyrotechnology was considered a demeaning craft, there is very little about its practice in ancient texts; our knowledge of early developments is based almost entirely on interpretation of artifacts recovered by archaeology during the past century and a half. Literature in archaeology and anthropology, however, tends to concentrate on the artifact found rather than on how it was produced - on the pot or spearhead rather than the kiln or furnace. There is thus surprisingly little information on the practice and importance of pyrotechnology. The Mastery and Uses of Fire in Antiquity, written by an engineer with fifty years of experience in industrial research and pyrotechnology, rectifies this lack. J.E. Rehder covers the kinds of furnaces, the nature of the fuel used, and the productions created - fired clay, lime from limestone, metals from the reduction of ores, and glass from sand. He also shows convincingly that previous arguments that early deforestation resulted from furnace use cannot be supported. The Mastery and Uses of Fire in Antiquity provides much-needed information for anyone interested in archaeology, anthropology, and pyrotechnology |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
Notes |
Print version record |
Subject |
Pyrometallurgy -- History
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Ceramics -- History
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Metallurgical furnaces -- History
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SCIENCE -- Chemistry -- Industrial & Technical.
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TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING -- Chemical & Biochemical.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Anthropology -- Physical.
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Ceramics
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Metallurgical furnaces
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Pyrometallurgy
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Metallurgie
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Vor- und Frühgeschichte
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Schmelzofen
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Klassieke oudheid.
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Vuur.
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Pyrométallurgie -- Histoire.
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Céramique industrielle -- Histoire.
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Fours métallurgiques -- Histoire.
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Genre/Form |
Electronic books
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History
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Form |
Electronic book
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ISBN |
9780773568556 |
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0773568557 |
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