Resumen
The work studies the influence of the addition of 2% calcium carbonate during the drying stage and the efficiency of the firing stage during the manufacturing processof red ceramic bricks. The study was conducted in a factory producing hollow bricks with an installed capacity of 65,000 bricks per burning. Results from the studyshowed that the addition of 2% CaCO3 to the clay paste reduces the drying time by 35% compared with bricks made without addition, and causes a 27% reductionof the fuel consumption in relation to previous burnings without the addition of this flux, due to the reduction of the firing time in the ovens.Rev. ing. constr. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.2, pp. 113-124. ISSN 0718-5073. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732013000200001