Skutt EnviroVent 2 - Manual (Page 3)

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nTroduCTIon
How It Works
A designated number of holes are drilled in the lid and floor of the kiln either in the factory or on location. A
spring loaded plenum cup (see diagram on page 4) is placed under the kiln and tensioned between the floor of
the kiln and the floor under the kiln. The holes in the floor of the kiln are drilled in a tight pattern so the plenum
cup can cover them all. The other end of the cup is connected by 3” ducting to a fan which is generally mounted
on the wall. On the opposite end of the fan the air is ducted through the wall to the outside air.
The plenum cup has 3 additional holes from which it draws room temperature air to mix with the heated air from
the kiln. This serves 2 purposes. Since the kiln air is mixed with cooler room air the air coming out of the end of
the vent is never hotter than an average hair dryer. Secondly, the holes in the plenum cup are sized to reduce the
vacuum on the kiln chamber so only a small amount of air is moving through the kiln. This ensures the firing
time is not affected and the ware is not at risk.
Better Heat Uniformity
Most people are aware of the fact that heat rises. The EnviroVent 2 helps compensate for this rising heat by
creating a flow of air moving back down the kiln chamber. As the air moves in a downward direction it is also
deflected by ware and shelves causing turbulence. This turbulence helps move heat to cooler areas of the kiln.
Better Kiln Atmosphere
When you are firing in an electric kiln you are firing in an Oxidation atmosphere. The EnviroVent 2 helps bring in
more oxygen and flush out fumes which can form a reduction atmosphere. A reduction atmosphere can be desir-
able in a gas or wood fired kiln however it only causes problems in an electric kiln. Your elements will last longer,
your glazes will be clearer and brighter and you will help prevent glazes migrating between pieces.
Better Working Environment
Prior to the introduction of venting systems it was still necessary to vent the kiln. This was done by propping the
lid open with a wedge of brick until the kiln reached 1000 ˚F (538 ˚C). Not only was this inconvenient, it also radi-
ated the fumes right into the room.
A Better Vent
A new benefit of the EnviroVent 2 is that it is now a Negative Pressure System. This means that since the motor
is pulling the air instead of pushing the air, if there is ever a hole in the ducting the fumes will not escape into the
room. Also since the motor is now mounted away from the kiln it is protected from the heat of the kiln and the
kiln is protected from possible vibration from the motor.
A unique feature that no other vent on the market has is that the plenum cup is spring loaded. The floor of your
kiln will have a tendency to cup when it heats up. This cupping can compromise the seal and reduce the pull of
air on other models. With the EnviroVent 2 the Spring Loaded Plenum Cup ensures a tight seal throughout the
entire firing.
Congratulations
Congratulation on your purchase of the newly designed EnviroVent 2. The EnviroVent 2 is a Downdraft Ventila-
tion System designed to extract fumes from your electric kiln and vent them outdoors before they have a chance
to enter the room. Because it is a DownDraft Ventilation System the EnviroVent 2 also improves the firing atmo-
sphere in the kiln while it is protecting you from the odorous fumes that can be emitted from certain clay bodies
and glazes when they are fired. Here is what you get:
• True Downdraft Venting
• Ability to Vent 2 Kilns
• Spring Loaded Plenum Cup
• Vent Up to 24 Cubic Foot Kiln
• Corrosion Resistant Ducting
• Mounts Away From Heat
• UL Listed Safe
• No Vibration to the Kiln
• Potential to Control With Kiln