This Python script generates a refractory brick lining template for a barrel. The script produces two outputs:
- A top-view full ring layout with key diameters.
- A single-brick cut template with dimensions and miter angle callouts.
Additionally, the script prints the computed geometry to the terminal for reference.
- Generates a top-view diagram of the brick lining.
- Creates a single-brick cut template with precise dimensions and angles.
- Provides detailed terminal output of the input parameters and calculated results.
- Includes validation for input parameters to ensure accurate results.
- Python 3.6 or higher
- Matplotlib library
- Ensure you have Python 3.6 or higher installed on your system.
- Install the required Python library:
pip install matplotlib
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Clone this repository or download the script
brickcalculator.py. -
Open a terminal and navigate to the directory containing the script.
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Run the script using the following command:
python3 brickcalculator.py
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Follow the prompts to input the required dimensions:
- Barrel inside diameter (in)
- Barrel wall thickness (in)
- Minimum backup insulation thickness (in)
- Brick thickness (radial, in)
- Number of bricks per ring (N)
- Maximum brick outer face length (in)
- Saw kerf / blade width (in)
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The script will generate the diagrams and display the computed geometry in the terminal.
- Barrel inside diameter (in): The inner diameter of the barrel.
- Barrel wall thickness (in): The thickness of the barrel wall.
- Minimum backup insulation thickness (in): The minimum thickness of the backup insulation layer.
- Brick thickness (radial, in): The radial thickness of each brick.
- Number of bricks per ring (N): The number of bricks in a single ring. Must be 3 or greater.
- Maximum brick outer face length (in): The maximum length of the outer face of each brick.
- Saw kerf / blade width (in): The width of the saw blade used for cutting bricks (informational).
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Top-View Diagram:
- Displays the full ring layout of the brick lining.
- Includes key diameters and dimensions.
- Shows the backup insulation layer (yellow shaded) and barrel wall.
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Single-Brick Cut Template:
- Provides a detailed cut template for a single brick.
- Includes dimensions for the outer face, inner face, thickness, and taper.
- Displays miter angles for precise cutting.
The script prints the following information to the terminal:
- Input parameters.
- Calculated values, including:
- Central angle (°)
- Miter angle per end (°)
- Inner face length (in)
- Taper per side (in)
- Inner diameter across flats (in)
- Inner diameter across corners (in)
- Brick ring outer diameter (max, in)
- Barrel outer diameter (in)
- Maximum gap thickness (in) (between backup insulation layer annulus and outer brick flats)
The following example shows inputs and outputs for lining a 55-gallon steel barrel with a backup insulation layer of minimum radial thickness 3.5", and a 6-sided refractory brick hot-face lining. K-23 brick dimesions (9"x4.5"x2.5") are used in this example. Plot output can be viewed at 6_sided.png.
Barrel inside diameter (in): 22.9
Barrel wall thickness (in): 0.05
Minimum backup insulation thickness (in): 3.5
Brick thickness (radial, in): 2.5
Number of bricks per ring (N): 6
Maximum brick outer face length (in): 9
Saw kerf / blade width (in): 0.125
=== INPUTS ===
N: 6
Barrel inside diameter: 22.900 in
Barrel wall thickness: 0.050 in
Backup insulation min thickness: 3.500 in
Brick thickness (radial): 2.500 in
Brick outer face length: 9.000 in
Saw kerf: 0.125 in
=== OUTPUTS ===
Central angle: 60.000°
Miter angle per end: 30.000° (off-square)
Inner face length: 5.063 in
Taper per side: 1.443 in
Inner diameter across flats: 9.440 in
Inner diameter across corners: 10.900 in
Brick ring outer diameter (max): 15.900 in
Barrel outer diameter: 23.000 in
Max gap thickness: 1.065 in
- A top-view diagram of the brick lining.
- A single-brick cut template with dimensions and miter angles.
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.
Sonia Rosenberger