Calcination is a process primarily used on metal ores. It involves heating the ore to a temperature below its melting point in the presence of limited air or oxygen. This process helps to remove volatile impurities or cause thermal decomposition.
Which ores undergo calcination? 4 key examples explained
1. Limestone (Calcium Carbonate)
Limestone is one of the most common ores that undergoes calcination. When heated, limestone decomposes into quicklime (calcium oxide) and carbon dioxide. This process is crucial in the production of cement and for use in steelmaking and flue gas desulfurization. A rotary kiln is often used for this process, especially when dealing with finer particle sizes, as it provides a more uniform product at a higher rate.
2. Dolomite
Dolomite also undergoes calcination to remove impurities and convert it into its respective oxide. The rotary kiln is used for this process, offering advantages such as handling a broad size range of charge material and operating at high calcination temperatures.
3. Magnesite
Similar to dolomite, magnesite undergoes calcination to remove impurities and convert it into its oxide. The rotary kiln is also used for this process, providing similar advantages as with dolomite.
4. Other Applications
Calcination is not limited to these ores. It can also be used to remove bound moisture from materials like borax. The process can be carried out in various types of furnaces, including muffle, reverberatory, or shaft furnaces, and kilns, typically heated to temperatures between 800°C to 1300°C depending on the specific requirements of the material being processed.
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