Build a Vacuum Kiln from Shipping Container

[Garritt]

Trying to build a vacuum kiln using an old shipping container.
Internal dimensions. 19'3"x7'7"x7'9". The space inside will be about half full trying to figure out how big of a vacuum pump I need. About 565 cubic feet.

 

[Quantum Defect]

Trying to build a vacuum kiln using an old shipping container.
Internal dimensions. 19'3"x7'7"x7'9". The space inside will be about half full trying to figure out how big of a vacuum pump I need. About 565 cubic feet.

I cannot imagine this actually working.

It seems like if you actually managed to get any kind of vacuum, the container would collapse upon itself. Atmospheric pressure is something we usually get to ignore. Imagine the mass/weight of a ca 1 m layer of Hg resting on top of your shipping container, similar to the same amount of lead! All of the sheets are riveted together, which will be one massive leak.

Why not start smaller?