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Important Industrial Raw Materials and Building Materials: Limestone2023-08-10 11:04:22
Limestone is a predominantly calcium carbonate (CaCO3) rock, widely distributed across the globe; however, certain regions face significant shortages. This highly versatile material finds extensive application in the production of Portland cement (i.e., ordinary cement), as an aggregate for concrete and asphalt, and in various other manufacturing processes. The scarcity of cement despite limestone's global abundance necessitates exploration for new quarrying sites.
About Limestone
"Limestone" refers to any rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), but in the field of geology, limestone is just one type among many "carbonate rocks." This particular rock consists of over 50% carbonate minerals, typically calcite (pure calcium carbonate) or dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate), or a combination of both.
Limestone predominantly forms in shallow marine environments. Based on its origin, limestone can be classified into granular limestone (formed through water transport and sedimentation), biological skeleton limestone, as well as chemical and biochemical limestone. In terms of structure, it can be further categorized into foliated bamboo limestone, oolitic limestone, leopard skin limestone, massive limestone, etc. The primary chemical composition of limestone is CaCO3 which exhibits high solubility; thus regions abundant in limestones often feature stone forests and karst caves that give rise to what is known as karst topography. Limestone serves as the principal raw material for lime production and cement manufacturing while also acting as a flux for iron and steel production.
The Utilization of Limestone
Limestone has numerous industrial uses and can be extracted for direct utilization or processed into various products. It serves as a raw material for construction, agriculture, environmental applications, and industrial materials. Limestone is widely employed in the construction industry.
- Lime paint, lime and a large amount of water are used to obtain the slurry, which is known as milk of lime. It is mainly used for interior painting with low requirements.
- Mortar can be prepared by using stone plaster or slaked lime powder mixed with cement for plastering and masonry.
- Lime soil refers to the mixture of clay and lime powder, while triplet soil consists of sand or stone debris, slag, etc.
Some of the purest limestone naturally formed is known as marble, making it a preferred choice for government buildings and public statues throughout history. Travertine also serves as a gauge stone for tiles and tables. Certain types of white limestone are crushed and used in house decoration. Limestone powder plays a crucial role in purifying molten metals like steel by removing impurities. It is also utilized in coal-fired power plants to eliminate toxic compounds from exhaust gases. Moreover, limestone finds widespread applications in the production of paper, plastics, and paints. The highest quality limestone can even be employed in food and medicine production, such as breakfast oatmeal and calcium tablets. Additionally, limestone serves as a fundamental raw material for lime (calcium oxide) production which has extensive uses in soil conditioning, water purification, copper smelting, and the chemical industry.On the other hand,dolomite has a more limited range of applications; most mined dolomite is simply crushed to be used as concrete or asphalt aggregate.
Cement is In Short Supply
The production of common cement, one of the most crucial products derived from limestone, is of utmost importance in the field of construction. Taking the United States as an example, self-sufficiency in cement production has not been achieved; hence a substantial amount needs to be imported from other countries to bridge this gap. The imports of both cement (which serves as the initial step in cement production) and finished cement constitute 23% of the total cement utilized within the United States. Until a few years ago, there was a severe scarcity of common cement within the country. This shortage directly resulted in a significant surge in its price, compelling consumers to explore alternatives such as pressure-treated wood, insulating steel and polystyrene materials or even resorting to redesigning buildings with reduced reliance on cement. Furthermore, this scarcity has also led to project delays subsequently escalating costs for roads, bridges and other structures.
Limestone Grinding Mill
In the construction industry, such as cement production, limestone needs to be processed into three categories based on fineness: coarse powder (1-3 mm), fine powder (80-400 mesh), and ultrafine powder (400-3000 mesh). Depending on the required fineness, Clirik offers different grinding mills for you to choose from.
PEX Jaw Crusher
Capacity: 1-90 t/hFeed Size: 250 mm
Powder Fineness: 1-100 mm
The jaw crusher is commonly utilized in the coarse powder processing and material crushing procedures. Generally, the materials processed by this machine can meet the usage requirements; however, if they fail to meet the standard, secondary processing using either an impact crusher or a cone crusher becomes necessary.
YGM Raymond Grinding Mill
Capacity: 1-50 t/hFeed Size: 35 mm
Powder Fineness: 80-400 mesh
When it comes to processing fine powder, Clirik YGM Raymond mill is the preferred choice for most manufacturers due to its status as the pioneer of grinding machines and its extensive range. It boasts advantages such as user-friendly operation, impeccable technology, and a compact design.
HGM Ultrafine Grinding Mill
Capacity: 0.2-45 t/hFeed Size: ≤20 mm
Powder Fineness: 325-3000 mesh
The HGM superfine mill, developed by Clirik based on the Raymond mill, is a novel type of mill that finds its application in chemical, pharmaceutical, construction and other industries. Compared to other mills, the HGM ultrafine mill boasts 40% higher output. Moreover, high-quality cast materials are used for key parts of the machine which ensures their wear-resistance and extends their lifespan up to 2-5 years. Additionally, powder particle size can be adjusted according to specific requirements at any time.
Clirik is a reputable manufacturer of mining machinery and equipment, renowned for their global popularity. If you have any interest in our top-notch equipment, please feel free to contact us using the information provided on this page. Moreover, we boast a team of highly skilled engineers and technicians who are capable of tailoring machinery and equipment to meet your specific requirements, ensuring that they perfectly suit your needs. We eagerly await your call!
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