Effects of calcination variables on quicklime yield of Nkalagu limestone
Department of Chemical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 01660, Enugu, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2021, 01(02), 012–023.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjet.2021.1.2.0114
Publication history:
Received on 10 October 2021; revised on 07 November 2021; accepted on 09 November 2021
Abstract:
Calcination of Nkalagu limestone for the production of agricultural quicklime is presented. It entails improving the quality of limestone through calcination process. Appropriate scientific instruments/techniques (x-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy) were used for the characterization of the uncalcined and calcined limestone samples. Effects of calcination variables on the quicklime yield were examined. Central composite design of design expert software was used to optimize the calcination process. Analyses of the results revealed that calcite was the major limestone’s mineralogical composition. Quadratic model adequately described the relationship between quicklime yield and calcination factors of temperature, particle size and time. Quadratic model adequately described the relationship between quicklime yield and calcination factors of temperature, particle size and time. The optimum yield of 74.00% was obtained at optima operating conditions; temperature of 937.41 0C, particle size of 85.99µm and time of 3.7 hrs. Characteristics of the quicklime showed that the calcination improved the quality of the sample in terms of mineralogical properties. It is recommended that the generated model should be used to develop chemical plant/equipment for limestone calcination process.
Keywords:
Quicklime; Calcination; Calcite; Limestone; Quadratic model
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