Continuous firing furnace, manufacturing method of porous ceramic member using the same, porous ceramic member, and ceramic honeycomb filter

A continuous firing furnace comprising:

• a muffle that is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to ensure a predetermined space, and functions as a heat generator;
• and a heat insulating layer formed at the peripheral direction from said muffle,
• said continuous firing furnace being configured such that a formed body to be fired, which is transported from an inlet side, passes through the inside of said muffle at a predetermined speed in an inert gas atmosphere and, then, is discharged from an outlet so that said formed body is fired,
• wherein
• said inert gas flows from said heat insulating layer to said muffle and from said muffle to a space inside said muffle in sequence.

A manufacturing method of a porous ceramic member,

• upon firing a formed body to form said porous ceramic member,
• said method using a continuous firing furnace that comprises:
• a muffle formed into a cylindrical shape so as to ensure a predetermined space;
• a plurality of heat generators placed at the peripheral direction from the muffle;
• and a heat insulating layer formed in a manner so as to enclose said muffle and said heat generators therein, wherein
• said continuous firing furnace is configured such that a formed body to be fired, which is transported from an inlet side, passes through the inside of said muffle at a predetermined speed in an inert gas atmosphere and, then, is discharged from an outlet so that said formed body is fired, and said inert gas flows through:
• a space between said muffle and said heat insulating layer;
• and a space inside the muffle, in sequence.

A manufacturing method of a porous ceramic member,

• upon firing a formed body to form said porous ceramic member,
• said method using a continuous firing furnace that comprises:
• a muffle that is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to ensure a predetermined space, and functions as a heat generator;
• and a heat insulating layer formed at the peripheral direction from said muffle,
• wherein
• said continuous firing furnace is configured such that a formed body to be fired, which is transported from an inlet side, passes through the inside of said muffle at a predetermined speed in an inert gas atmosphere and, then, is discharged from an outlet so that said formed body is fired, and said inert gas flows from said heat insulating layer to said muffle and from said muffle to a space inside said muffle in sequence.

A porous ceramic member manufactured by firing a formed body,

• upon firing said formed body,
• said porous ceramic member being manufactured by using a firing furnace that comprises:
• a muffle formed into a cylindrical shape so as to ensure a predetermined space;
• a plurality of heat generators placed at the peripheral direction from the muffle;
• and a heat insulating layer formed in a manner so as to enclose said muffle and said heat generators therein, wherein said continuous firing furnace is configured such that a formed body to be fired, which is transported from an inlet side, passes through the inside of said muffle at a predetermined speed in an inert gas atmosphere and, then, is discharged from an outlet so that said formed body is fired, and said inert gas flows through:
• a space between said muffle and said heat insulating layer;
• and a space inside the muffle, in sequence.

A porous ceramic member manufactured by firing a formed body,

• upon firing said formed body,
• said porous ceramic member being manufactured by using a firing furnace that comprises:
• a muffle that is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to ensure a predetermined space, and functions as a heat generator;
• and a heat insulating layer formed at the peripheral direction from said muffle, wherein said continuous firing furnace is configured such that a formed body to be fired, which is transported from an inlet side, passes through the inside of said muffle at a predetermined speed in an inert gas atmosphere and, then, is discharged from an outlet so that said formed body is fired, and said inert gas flows from said heat insulating layer to said muffle and from said muffle to a space inside said muffle in sequence.