Densification of reactive lime from limestone

Sintering of lime from natural limestone was carried out by a single stage (from natural carbonate) and double stage (from limestone converted hydroxide) process in the temperature range 1500 to 1650 degreesC. In double stage process hydroxides were activated by three different techniques through pre-calcination and hydration. Different techniques employed are air-quenching the powder after precalcination, furnace cooling and water quenching of powder. The air quenching process showed better densification. Incorporation of hydroxide into carbonate powder up to an extent of 25 wt.% showed maximum densification. Hydration resistance was related to densification and grain size of sintered lime. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.