Ceramic calciner apparatus and associated systems and methods

A calciner comprising:

• a crucible;
• a heating element in proximity to the crucible and configured to heat the crucible;
• a dome configured to seal a first portion of the crucible to enable a positive pressure to be applied to the first portion of the crucible;
• a conduit positioned through the dome configured to enable the positive pressure to be applied through the conduit to the first portion of the crucible;
• an insulated tube positioned through the dome and having a first end positioned in the first portion of the crucible;
• and
• a dispensing port configured to selectively enable material to be dispensed from the first portion of the crucible.

A crucible assembly comprising:

• an outer shell;
• an inner crucible housed inside the outer shell;
• a loading assembly disposed at least partially within the inner crucible and configured to enable material to be loaded or unloaded from the inner crucible;
• and
• a load-spreading insulating layer disposed between the outer shell and the inner crucible, the load-spreading insulating layer comprising:
• a first heating element,
• a second heating element, and
• at least one high strength filament.

A method of preparing a calcined powder, the method comprising:

• loading a precursor material into a calciner;
• heating the precursor material in the presence of a processing fluid;
• agitating the precursor material during at least a portion of the step of heating to form a calcined powder;
• and
• extracting the calcined powder from the calciner.