Original Articles: 2013 Vol: 5 Issue: 10
Effect of particle size on solubility of limestone waste
Abstract
Lime stone is the most common type of rock found on earth’s surface. During the process of manufacture, quick lime is produced in many sizes in the kilns. Large sized pieces find use for construction purposes, food processing and many more however, finer fractions find less utility. Such material is mostly dumped for earth filling. Suitability of such waste was evaluated as it was found to be rich source of Calcium. Lime stone processing waste was further processed to find out which fraction could be used to prepare mineral supplement for livestock as it was a rich source of Calcium. As physical attribute of materials affect its solubility and bioavailability of the element. The waste fraction of industry was fractionated into 3 fractions viz with particle size >1 mm, 0.25-1 mm and <0.25 mm. Solubility of each fraction was observed in water and in HCl (0.04N, 0.08N, 0.16N). Salts of Calcium (Calcium Chloride, Rock phosphate, Di Calcium phosphate, Tri Calcium phosphate, Calcium hydroxide and Calcium sulphate) were also tested for their solubility. Solubility of limestone fractions improved with decrease in particle size. Solubility of salts and fractions of limestone waste improved with increase in normality of HCl. Results indicate significant (P≤0.0001) increase in solubility of lime stone fractions in water with decrease in particle size (8.62, 20.20, 32.50%). Increase in solubility increased pH significantly (P≤0.05) from slightly acidic 6.27 with higher particle size to 7.36 with lowest particle size. The results reflect that fractions with lower particle size have an advantage due to their solubility in dilute HCl and even with water as solvent and they have excellent flow property, which could prove useful for preparation of mineral supplements as well ease mixing in the feed mixtures. Thus major fraction out of the limestone waste can find its use as a mineral supplement in the animal feed industry