Calcined lime

Calcined Lime: What Is It?

The term “calcination” refers to the application of high heat to thermally decompose mineral stones. Limestone, which often contains impurities such as iron, dolomite, magnesium, and more, is subjected to high temperatures to remove these impurities, resulting in the production of calcined lime with the chemical formula CaO. Known as quicklime or calcined lime, this product is obtained by processing raw limestone in specialized lime kilns. The calcination process aims to increase the purity and concentration of lime, producing a highly pure and reactive substance. Due to its properties, calcined lime finds diverse applications in various industries. This article introduces calcined lime, its advantages, applications, and discusses purchasing options and pricing.

The Calcination Process

Calcined lime is a primary material used across industries like construction, agriculture, water treatment, and chemical production. Derived from calcium carbonate, calcined lime is produced through a process consisting of two main stages: calcination and lime slaking.

1. Calcination Stage: Calcium carbonate is exposed to high temperatures (approximately 900-1000°C) in a controlled environment, breaking it down into calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon dioxide.

2. Lime Slaking Stage: In this phase, quicklime is combined with water, resulting in the formation of slaked lime. This process produces a material suitable for various industrial uses.

Calcined lime is utilized in numerous applications, including concrete production, plastering, glass manufacturing, steel and iron production, agricultural fertilizers, and more. As one of the essential raw materials in global industries, calcined lime significantly contributes to industrial growth.

Applications of Calcined Lime

Calcined lime is highly versatile and widely used due to its high purity, affordability, strong disinfectant properties, fine texture, and high melting point. Its primary applications include:

1. Steel Production: Used in iron smelting and steel manufacturing to purify iron ore.
2. Soil Stabilization: Employed as lime mortar to stabilize clayey and loose soils.
3. Construction Materials: Used to produce hydrated lime for building materials.
4. Cement Manufacturing: An essential component in Portland cement production for high adhesion and filler properties.
5. Disinfection: A strong yet safe and affordable disinfectant for sanitizing poultry farms, livestock facilities, and aquaculture ponds.
6. Chemical Production: A critical raw material for manufacturing glass, cement, and other chemicals.
7. Mining: Applied in mineral industries for metal extraction and purification.
8. Water and Wastewater Treatment: Used for treating industrial and municipal wastewater.
9. Agriculture: Improves soil texture and adjusts pH levels in agricultural fields.
10. Sugar Production: Utilized in processing limestone for sugar manufacturing.

Given its numerous benefits and broad applications, calcined lime is recommended for various industrial uses.

Purchasing Calcined Lime

Calcined lime and its variants play a vital role in industries due to their diverse applications. This product is produced by heating high-calcium limestone in industrial kilns. It is available on the market in various grades of purity. However, due to increasing demand, some manufacturers produce calcined lime in large volumes at lower costs, sometimes compromising on quality. Buyers should seek high-quality products to ensure optimal performance.

Price of Calcined Lime

Pricing is a key factor influencing the purchase of calcined lime. Factors such as product quality, raw materials, impurity levels, geographic location, and market fluctuations impact its cost. Despite these variables, high-quality calcined lime is available at reasonable prices. Customers are encouraged to contact trusted suppliers for accurate pricing and reliable products.