SiteName: Beddingham Experimental Shaft KilnBeddingham Sub Brit site visit Autumn 1991 [Source:
Text by Ron Martin, Photos by Nick
Catford] It is certain that alterations have been made to the kiln and these probably relate to the attempts in 1931-32 to use it as a continuous mixed feed lime kiln. The hopper at level 5 with the brick dividing wall and the steel tube are probably of this phase. There is evidence of chalk and coke present in the hopper and the conical damper would be the normal way of controlling discharge from a hopper into a kiln. The fact that it then passed down 14.5 m of tube merely indicates that only the bottom part of the kiln was actually being used. It is also possible that the horizontal part of the flue is associated with this as there is an offset at the junction with the end of the kiln and some of the brickwork there is not properly bonded in.  Photo:Front
of the north firebox at Level 1 Photo by Nick Catford This kiln probably represents the only example of this type in existence and was an interesting experiment that if it had proved successful might have seen the adoptions of shaft kilns instead of rotary kilns for the production of cement. Due to its location in relation to the landfill site there is no way that the kiln can be preserved. I have however been given every opportunity and assistance from Blue Circle Industries PLC to enable a full record to be made before its ultimate destruction. When this happens further evidence may come to light as to its construction. REFERENCES 1. HMSO 104th Annual Report on Alkali &c. Works by the Chief Inspectors (1967) 2. Sir Percy Girouard, British Patent No. 260.608; (application date 7 Aug 1925; complete acceptance 8 Nov 1926). 3. Geoffrey Martin, British Patent No. 276.066 (application date 17 May 1926; complete acceptance date 17 Aug 1927). 4. Geoffrey Martin, Chemical Engineering and Thermodynamics Applied to the Cement Rotary Kilns etc. (1932) 28.16-20 5. Blue Circle Vol 27 No. 1 (1972) 6. Martin, Chemical Engineering 28.21 7. P. Lesley Cook, Effects of Mergers (1958) 92-3 8. Ibid 28. 6-20
For a more detailed description of the Beddingham Kiln see Issue 22 of Sussex Industrial History published by the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society [Source:
Text by Ron Martin, Photos by Nick
Catford] 
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