WATER TREATMENT

Limestone is by far the lowest-cost acid neutralizer per unit of basicity and the most widely available. When complete or over-neutralization is required a limestone-lime treatment process can be employed.

Limestone is ideal for use in passive systems to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the low cost of the raw material.
ANIMAL FEED

Limestone is an economical calcium source and vital ingredient in mineral feed supplements, which fortify organic feeds for farm animals and poultry. Calcium carbonates high levels of elemental calcium. Limestone grit in poultry gizzards assists with digestion and also provide calcium fortification to strengthen the egg shell.

Dolomite should not be used in chicken feed as excess magnesium might reduce egg output.
INDUSTRY

Limestone applied to pyro-metallurgical processes is called fluxstone. The use of limestone over lime depends on the smelting process and the cost of calcining the limestone as part of the process. A number of smelters use lime during the dry winter months when electricity is expensive and change over to limestone during the wet summer season. Limestone is easier to handle during the rainy season and the raw material cost benefit outweighs the extra electricity cost.
GLASS

The manufacture of glass is an excellent example of the complementary, interchangeable use of limestone and lime. Limestone is significantly cheaper than lime and a lot easier to handle and store.

The Fe content of the limestone is critical and must be manage with the Fe content of other raw material in the glass making process.
AGRICULTURE

A vast tonnage of limestone enters the agriculture fields as direct application to soil and as a filler for mixed fertilizer.

Liming neutralize soil acidity, is a direct source of nutrients, increase organic matter, increase soil micro-organisms and most importantly increase the efficiency of fertilizers.

Calcined or Light Burned Magnesia
is used in effluent treatment and acid neutralisation.

High Calcium Limestone is used in
Cement, Glass, Paint, Putty, Filler & Plastics,

Calcium & Magnesium in Lime

The type of limestone is dependent on the
Ca:Mg ratio and the Mg content of the lime.

Nomenclature

Ca : Calcium
CaO : Calcium oxide
Ca(OH)₂ : Calcium hydrate
CaCO₃ : Calcium carbonate
CaH₂(CO₃)₂ : Calcium bicarbonate

Mg : Magnesium
MgO : Magnesium oxide
Mg(OH)₂ : Magnesium hydrate
MgCO₃ : Magnesium carbonate
MgH₂(CO₃)₂ : Magnesium bicarbonate

Mn : Manganese
MnO : Manganese oxide

Technical - Uses of lime & limestone

Calcium

Calcitic Limestone
100 % CaCO₃

Agricultural Lime, Feed Lime,
Steel Flux, Plastics, Paper, Filler

High Calcium Limestone
CaCO₃ > 85%
MgCO₃ < 3%

Cement, Water Treatment, Glass, Paint, Putty, Filler, Plastics, Paper, Steel Flux, Neutralising Agent
Fertiliser, Animal Feed

Dolomitic Limestone
MgCO₃ > 20%
CaCO₃ ≈ 54%

Special Aggregate, Steel Flux, Fertiliser, Dusting Powder, Refractory Bricks, White Wash,
Ag-lime

Unhydrated Lime
CaO₂

Iron & Steel, Calcium Carbide, Water treatment, Ferro-alloys Collieries
Soil stabilization, Chemicals, Fertilizer

Hydrated Lime
Ca(OH)₂

Gold & Uranium,
Soil Stabilization, Agriculture,
Pulp & Paper, Sugar, Chemicals, Building, Water Purification, Glass

Magnesium

Magnesite
MgCO₃

Plastics, Paper ,Filler, Pigments, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Metal
Fertilisers, Pesticide Carrier

Calcined or Light Burned Magnesia
MgO: 700° - 1,000°C

Building Products, Oxychloride Cements, Insulation Materials,
Rubber Additives, Paper& Plastic Manufacture, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Acid Neutralisation, Effluent Treatment
Animal Feedstuffs, Fertilisers,

Sintered or Dead-Burned
Magnesia – MgO: 1,500° - 2,300°C

Basic Refractories: Mixes
Refractory Brick Manufacture: Magnesia, Magnesia Chrome, Magnesia Carbon, Magnesia Dolime
Electrofused Magnesia

Electrofused Magnesia
MgO: >2,800°C

Premium Quality Refractories, Ultra-high Temperature Insulators,
UV & Infra-red Optical Equipment
Nuclear Reactors, Rocket Nozzles

WATER TREATMENT

ANIMAL FEED

INDUSTRY

GLASS

AGRICULTURE

Calcium & Magnesium in Lime

Nomenclature

Technical - Uses of lime & limestone

Calcium

Magnesium