CaCO₃(s) → CaO(s) + CO₂(g)One mole of carbonate gives one mole of lime and one mole of CO₂.
Use when: Example of decarbonation; actual conversion depends on conditions.
Ore calcination
Understand thermal decomposition and distinguish calcination, drying and melting.
What is happening?
Calcination chemically transforms a material by heating, often with the release of a gas. The decarbonation of calcium carbonate is an example; drying mainly removes water, while melting changes the state of one phase.
Temperature alone does not describe the entire process. Residence time, heat exchange, particle size and partial pressure of the gas produced are involved in the advancement.
The formulas, with their conditions.
X = ncarbonates transformés / ncarbonates initiauxX: fraction between 0 and 1.
Use when: Correct the balance sheet for possible humidity and other gas losses.
Where is this principle used?
Lime factory
Decompose limestone to obtain lime.
Mineral processing plant and cement plant
Prepare a charge by thermal transformation.
What to observe in the experiment
Compare mass loss and carbonate conversion. Identify the part corresponding to CO₂, without confusing any loss with water.
References and readings
This sheet explains the principles and their assumptions. Educational simulation can simplify the process; an industrial model requires suitable data and validation.
Have you understood the essentials?
Only one correct answer per question. Answer all three questions, then view the answer key.
Intu Lab · Understanding sheet · Kimba Christian