Calcination is a pyrometallurgical process that involves heating metal ores in the presence of limited air or oxygen, typically to a temperature below the ore's melting point. This process is primarily used to remove volatile impurities and is named after its major application, the heating of calcium carbonate ores. The process is essential for the chemical dissociation or separation of inorganic materials, such as the conversion of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Calcination is also employed in the removal of bound moisture, such as in the case of borax.
The types of ores subjected to calcination include limestone, dolomite, and magnesite. These ores are heated in rotary kilns, which are preferred over shaft furnaces for their ability to handle finer particle sizes and deliver a more uniform product at higher rates. The calcination of limestone is particularly significant in the production of quicklime, which is essential for steelmaking and flue gas desulfurization. Additionally, rotary kilns are used for the calcination of sintered magnesite and dolomite, offering advantages in handling a broad size range of charge material at high calcination temperatures.
In summary, calcination is a crucial process for the treatment of metal ores, particularly those containing calcium carbonate, limestone, dolomite, and magnesite. It facilitates the removal of impurities and the conversion of ores into more usable forms, making it an integral part of various industrial processes, including steelmaking and cement production.
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