Carbide Lime

Huge amounts of industrial waste are generated around the world. This waste can be harmful to the environment if not disposed properly, or the disposal of the same could lead to very high costs. On the other hand, utilizing industrial waste as secondary raw materials for other industries could not only reduce costs and save the planet, but also serve as a supplementary source of income. Since lime is used in several industries, lime slurry can be treated and used in many applications.

The rising rates of carbide lime waste (CLW), commonly known as lime slurry produced as a byproduct of industrial production of acetylene, has warranted the need for repurposing of the said material.

How Lime Slurry Is Produced in the Acetylene Production Process?

In the acetylene production process, carbide is mixed with water to produce acetylene, carbide lime or lime slurry, and heat.The final products are suspended in water. Thus, when calcium hydroxide mixes with water, it produces CLW.Once, the water is evaporated or dried, the lime slurry produced is in solid form. This makes disposal tedious and expensive. Hence, utilization of lime slurry in other industrial applications has proved to be beneficial for both the suppliers and users.

In the initial stages, several chemical tests and X-ray diffraction analysis were carried out to determine the constituents of lime slurry. It was noted that with the exception of presence of carbon, lime slurry was very similar to industrial lime. Hence, the process of treating and repurposing lime slurry was put in place.

Methods of Repurposing Lime Slurry