Sinks are the appliances used in Kitchen for washing dishes and utensils. Earlier Ceramic made sinks were widely used but now a day’s stainless steel sinks are replacing ceramic types for this application. However the Stainless steel sinks cannot afford certain unique features of ceramic sinks. Ceramic sinks have higher scratch resistance, chemical resistance, clean ability and hygiene maintenance as compared to stainless steel sinks.

Ceramic sinks are manufactured in different sizes and different models. The following are the general types available in the market.

• Single bowl type
• Single bowl with attached drain board
• Double bowl type
• Double bowl with attached drain board
• Sink with over flow arrangement
• Sink without overflow arrangement

Ceramic sinks can be made out of either Vitreous china body or with Fire clay body or with Fine Fire Clay Body. Both fire clay and fine fireclay sinks possess very high thermal shock resistance characteristics and can be used for both cold and hot water applications, where as Vitreous body sinks can be used only for normal water usage.

Cabinet washbasins are produced in different shapes and sizes, however the regular shapes used widely are mostly rectangle and square. These washbasins are fitted in readymade cabinets made out of special wood or on ones made out of some special solid plastic. These types are mostly suitable for luxury residential buildings and they add a whole new look of richness to your wash rooms.

Console washbasins are special type of washbasins that comes with twin bowls and can be fitted on to the walls or can be mounted on marble or granite slabs. These types of washbasins are suitable for restaurants.

Corner washbasins are made in different shapes and sizes and are mostly used in corner locations of wash rooms or dinning rooms. These types can be mounted on to the wall or can be counter type or can be under counter or can be over counter. This is the model that is mostly suitable in all places where we are having space restriction and should use a basin which is comfortable and also lesser in dimensional space occupation.

The faucets can be fitted in the washbasins it self or on the counters or on the walls depending on the models.

Thanks to the many new generation design software available for Ceramic designing. The manufacturers are coming up with newer designs and concepts each day which is making it tough for the end users to chose the right one. The minimum price of Wash basin starts with 10 USD and the maximum price goes up to 2000 USD depending on the model and the brand.

Under counter basins are produced in different shapes and sizes like counter top basins and these type of models rim part is more thin and it is not glazed like counter top basins. These types of models are kept under the counter mostly marble or granite slab. Under counter basins are mostly suitable for toilet rooms whether it is residential buildings or common commercial complexes.

Over counter basins are produced in different shapes and sizes like under counter basins and are mounted over the counter in the opening made out either in marble or granite slabs. Un like under counter basins in these type of models the rim part is fully glazed. These types of models are suitable for toilet rooms whether it is residential buildings or common commercial complexes.

Semi counter basins are produced in different shapes and sizes like over counter basins but the difference is part of the wash basin is fully exposed and the remaining back part is hidden in the recess cut out made mostly in wood. These types of models are mostly suitable for dinning rooms of residential buildings.

Washbasins are produced in different shapes and sizes and with modern Concepts across the world. The common types are listed below.

• Wall mounting basin
• Counter top basin
• Under counter basin
• Over counter basin
• Semi counter basin
• Cabinet basin
• Console basin
• Corner basin

Wall mounting basins are produced in different shapes and sizes. All the models can be mounted on the wall by using rag bolts and can be supported with a floor mounted full pedestal or with a wall mounted half pedestal. If enough space is available we can go for bigger size basins and if space is the constraint we can go for smaller size basins. How ever it is advisable to go for deeper bowl models so as to avoid water flashing during usage.

Counter top basins are produced in different shapes and sizes. It can be round, oval, rectangular, square, octagonal, egg shape and so on. The designer brings out every possible shape he can and the customers are having various options to choose. The counters can me made out of solid wood, glass, marble or granite slab. The washbasin needs to be just mounted on the counter. These types of models are mostly suitable for the dinning hall where the application is to just wash our hands.

To be Contd…

Cisterns made out of ceramic materials are usually used as the coupled part of the European water closets or can be used by mounting on the wall at low level or at high level and can be connected to the water closet. For the Asian pan models it can be connected by mounting on the wall at high level. Greater the height more will be the pressure and the flushing efficiency will go up accordingly.

These days a new internal mechanism called “Dual flushing mechanism” is available in the market and the ceramic cisterns are manufactured to accommodate these types of fittings. Most of the sanitary ware industries manufacture mainly three types of ceramic cisterns. They are listed below

• Cistern meant for the coupled type water closets
• Cistern meant for fixing on the wall as water source for the Asian pans and for few specific models of European closets.
• Auto Cistern type connected to batteries of Urinals for water source. This is mostly used in commercial toilet places like Railway station, Airport, Cinema Hall etc.

Thanks to the new innovative products like Plastic cistern, concealed cistern and sensor based auto-flushing devices which have considerably reduced the demand for Ceramic cisterns and it goes only as a coupled closet part.

The models can be of floor mounted or wall mounted and it can be open rim or box rim type. The box rim models are most hygienic and more efficient in flushing compared to open rim models and a price for it. Some manufacturers do glazing in the inner parts of the rim also so as to make the products more hygienic and we need to pay a price for it.

The wall mounting models are more convenient for operation and cleaning the bathroom floor is very easy and we can maintain the toilet space very neat and clean always. The wall mounting models can be connected to the water source by connecting to the ceramic tank mounted on the closet it self or to a ceramic or plastic tank mounted on the wall separately or to a concealed plastic tank in the wall or to the pipe line directly through a flush valve. There are models where we can achieve better flushing with just two to three litres water. How ever the general models operate with dual flushing mechanism with 3/6 litres water.

The floor mounting models produced with varying roughing dimensions (centre of outlet to the wall) from 100 mm to 300mm.The outlet trap can be ‘P’,’S’or horizontal. The popular models are produced with total concealed trap arrangement for aesthetic look and for cleaning convenience. There are models where we can get better flushing with just two litres of water. How ever the common models come with dual flushing facility where we can operate with3/6 litres water.

The integrated syphonic type single piece water closet very popular in United States gaining popularity in other countries also. Since the water tank is integrated along with the closet the plumbing works become simpler and convenient for installation. The function also good and we can use the dual flushing mechanism with3/6 litres water.

The turbojet water closet models comes with built in water pump and these models are most popular in commercial buildings, hostels etc where the number of usage is high and there is a water scarcity.

There are many new innovative models available in the market with built in electronic testing system in which one can check their urine, stool. There are models available for the exclusive use of children and physically challenged people.

Since the production process is complicated for making the European water closets the manufacturers fix high price. The very simple basic models start with a price of 20 USD and the more advanced models are sold in a price bracket of 2000 to 3000 USD.

There is a swift change in the end users out look of the toilets and naturally more innovative products are in pipe line and hence in the production technology of the sanitary ware also.

European water closets are produced in different sizes, shapes & with different plumbing arrangements across the world. The most popular and common models are listed below.

• Open rim close coupled water closet. Floor mounting type with ‘P’ or ‘ S’trap.
• Open rim close coupled water closet. Wall mounting type with ‘P’ trap.
• Open rim wall mounting water closet can be connected to a flush valve or to a concealed water tank or to a wall mounted tank.
• Box rim close coupled water closet. Floor mounting type with ‘P’or ‘S’ trap.
• Box rim close coupled water closet. Wall mounting type with ‘P’trap.
• Box rim wall mounting water closet can be connected to a flush valve or to a concealed water tank or to a wall mounted tank.
• Open rim floor mounted water closet can be connected to a flush valve or to a high level wall mounted cistern.
• Closed rim wash down water closet
• Syphonic type integrated single piece water closet (mono block water closet)
• Turbo jet water closet with built in water pump.

There are end numbers of different models available in the market place. There are certain models specific popular in some countries like Integrated symphonic closet in United States and Closed rim closet in Italy and so on. There is a swift change took place across the world with respect to the water consumption and every industry is innovating new products so as to conserve the water efficiently and the products are coming with water mark as a marketing tool for their specific models.

To be Contd…

Ceramic – Glass

Raw materials for Glass Manufacturing:

Hydrated lime is used in the following applications:

• Water and waste Treatment
• Flue gas desulfurization
• Agricultural application used for soil stabilization
• Used in building products like mortars and stuccos
• Used in plasters

There are two types of hydrated lime. They are Type N and Type S hydrated lime. This product difference is in the applied pressure level for forming the hydrated lime. This is because the calcium oxide can quickly hydrate at atmospheric pressure. Whereas the hydration of Magnesium oxide hydration requires a long soak period and/or high pressure levels to completely hydrate. The N type hydrated lime is produced at atmospheric pressure. This results in a calcium hydroxide/magnesium oxide product which has high chemical availability. The S type hydrated lime is produced at elevated pressures to completely hydrate the calcium and magnesium compounds.

To be contd…

Ceramic – Glass

Raw materials for Glass Manufacturing:

There is a by product generated in the limestone calcination process. Process generates Lime kiln dust. It can be either in wet or dry form (wet or dry) and mostly consists of partially calcined quicklime and coal fly ash. This by-product also has variety of applications which includes environmental treatments, as a raw material for cement production, soil stabilization and as a neutralizing agent in agricultural applications.

Another product of limestone is the hydrated lime which is produced from calcined limestone (i.e. quick lime). Limestone when calcined forms quicklime and this quicklime when added with water can be converted into hydrated lime. The addition of water has to take place in controlled conditions for converting quicklime into a fine and dry powder of hydrated lime. The Hydrated lime is used in many of the applications where quicklime is used. The hydrated lime is nothing but diluted form of quick lime and so it can be used in most of the applications which uses quick lime.

To be Contd….

Ceramic – Glass

Raw materials for Glass Manufacturing:

Having seen the basic varieties of limestone (Calcium Carbonate) we can now discuss the products of limestone and how they are manufactured. One of the most widely used lime product is quick lime. This is nothing but calcined variety of limestone. The limestone is calcined in kilns to form quick lime which consists of calcium and magnesium oxides. The quicklime has a wide variety of environmental and industrial applications. Major uses of quicklime are the following

• Flue gas Desulfurization (FGD)
• As a steel fluxing agent
• Production of Fiberglass, Pulp and Paper, Gold, Aluminium etc.

The process of converting limestone to quicklime is done through calcination in energy efficient rotary or vertical kilns. The operating temperature of these kilns is greater than 2000 °F to allow the limestone calcination process.

To be contd…