2 Factors Affect. Lime Slaking
2 Factors Affect. Lime Slaking
2 Factors Affect. Lime Slaking
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Standards exist to measure reactivity1 of quicklime. As noted in Table 1 below, reactivity is characterized by the time required for the reaction temperature to reach a specific value. TABLE 1. Reactivity High Medium Low
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Quicklime Reactivity Definitions Time for Complete Reaction 2 10 minutes or less 10-20 minutes 20 minutes or greater
Time for 40 deg C Temp. Rise 2 3 minutes or less 3-6 minutes 6 minutes or longer
Particle size: Quicklime particle size and mixing methods have a significant affect on slaking rate. Commercial grade quicklime is available in a variety of sizes including pulverized (powder), granular (1/4 minus), pebble (1/4-3/4 minus) and lump (2 minus). When adequately mixed with water, quicklime reactivity increases as particle size decreases. Ultimate temperature rise and product quality are not significantly affected by particle size with pebble or finer grades. The smaller the size of quicklime the more susceptible the lime is to air slaking. Water Properties Two properties of water, dissolved solids and temperature should be considered in lime slaking. Dissolved Solids: Water containing sulfites or sulfates in excess of 400 ppm should not be used for lime slaking as they inhibit the slaking process. Water containing bicarbonate hardness will not affect the slaking process, however it should be noted that bicarbonate ions will precipitate (scale) as calcium carbonate on contact with slaked lime. Softened process water or potable water is recommended for lime slaking. Temperature: In general, higher incoming water produces better product quality. Water that is too cold may drown the quicklime and slow the slaking reaction down. Water that is too hot may boil during the slaking reaction. For reliable slaking with most lime types and slakers, water temperature should be between 55 deg F and 70 deg F. Water to Lime Ratio In most applications for slaked lime, surface area of the hydrated lime particles is of paramount
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12140 Vulcan Way Richmond, BC V6V 1J8 Phone (604) 273-6441 Fax (604) 273-0466 Email: Stancoprojects.com
importance. Water to lime ratio is the principal determinant of product surface area; as this ratio is decreased, surface area increases. The water to lime ratio is defined as the ratio of water mass to quicklime mass. This ratio does not include dilution or process water, which may be added to slaked lime downstream of the slaking compartment. In conventional lime slakers, water to lime ratio varies from 2.5:1 (for paste type slakers) to 6.0:1 (for detention type slakers). The water should be evenly distributed into the slaker. Surges or pulsating of the water flow may cause improper slaking. As shown in Figure 1, specific surface area of slaked lime particles is highly dependent on the water to lime ratio, with surface area increasing as water to lime ratio decreases. As the graph shows, this increase is greatest when water to lime ratio varies in the region between 2.5:1 and 6.0:1.
November, 1997
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Figure 1. - Specific Surface of CalciumHydroxide with Different W ater to Lime Ratios [68 Deg. F W ater]
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P aste
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D etention
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Source: A Study of the Reaction Between CalciumOxide and Water, T.C. Miller, Published by the National Lim e Association
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