By Mohamad Hassibi, Chemco Systems, L.P.
November 1999 (Revision 1 – February 2009)
Lime slaking is a critical component in water treatment, wastewater management, air pollution control, and various process industries. This document provides a comprehensive discussion and review of the factors that influence the efficiency and performance of lime slaking systems, impacting both operational effectiveness and costs.
Building upon existing research and extensive hands-on experience, this paper delves into the intricacies of lime slaking. It highlights the inherent variability of limestone, a key raw material, and emphasizes the growing importance of lime as a chemical essential for global pollution control efforts. Understanding its handling and processing is paramount for its effective utilization.
The process involves converting limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO3) into calcium oxide (CaO) through calcination, followed by hydration to produce calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This transformation is exothermic, releasing significant heat. The document details the chemical reactions and the distinction between dry hydration and slaking, which produces a slurry.
Various types of equipment are available for lime slaking, each suited for different applications:
Effective slakers must accurately mix lime and water, facilitate hydration, and separate impurities.
The quality and efficiency of lime slaking are influenced by numerous factors:
Optimizing these parameters is essential for achieving desired product quality and process performance.