Products

Quicklime

Quicklime is one of many reagents offered by Mintek Resources. Quicklime, also referred to as lime (calcium oxide (CaO)), is derived from high quality, natural deposits of limestone (calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) or dolomitic limestone (calcium magnesium carbonate (CaCO+ MgCO3). Quicklime is produced by heating the stone to almost 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Throughout the process, quality control measures and precise instrumentation are utilized to ensure the quicklime produced is a consistent, high-quality product.

Quicklime is a widely used chemical compound used in a variety of markets that surround our everyday life such as construction, environmental, oil and gas and industrial processes. In the construction market, quicklime is highly effective at reducing soil plasticity index, reducing the shrink/swell potential and resisting potentially harmful freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles. In environmental applications, quicklime will adjust the pH of waste streams, reducing heavy metals solubility. In the industrial markets, quicklime makes the air we breathe cleaner, removes impurities in steelmaking processes, and makes the water we drink safer. Quicklime can help repair and even prevent landslide in the oil and gas industry by drying overly wet soils and modifying soils to provide greater internal friction helping to increase construction and overall productivity.

 

Quicklime Products

Quicklime is offered in a variety of product sizes to fit any application or jobsite

 

Quicklime Fines, generally less than ¼-inch in size. The small sizing helps accelerate the reaction of the product once applied to the soil, sediment or waste stream. Primary delivery methods of Quicklime fines to the job site include: pneumatic trailers, EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers, or supersack

Pulverized Quicklime Fines, a fine grade material with similar physical properties to cement. The ultra-fine sizing ensure the material will flow through spreader equipment easily and quickly. Primary delivery methods include: pneumatic trailers, EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers, or supersack.

Pebble Quicklime, with sizes ranging from 2-inch down to ¼-inch, is a great option for any application where dust is a concern. Pebble Quicklime is traditionally delivered to the job site in EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers or supersacks.

Soil Drying

Lime provides the fastest drying option.

  • Outperforms Portland cement in drying applications
  • Lime-based products offer fast, effective drying to keep projects on time and on budget
  • Once hydrated, the high availability of calcium oxide creates exothermic reactions and quickly drives off moisture
  • Over 30% of its weight in water can be absorbed as quicklime hydrates
  • Hydration reaction generates heat to allow job sites to progress in cold, wet weather conditions
Soil Modification

Stabilization of problematic soils along with sediments and waste streams in environmental applications.

  • Quicklime can modify soils to minimize, if not eliminate, shrink/swell potential, increase freeze/thaw resistance and provide short and long-term strength gains
  • Quicklime raises the pH of a soil to the point that naturally present pozzolanic compounds in clayey soils are solubilized making them available for long term cementitious reactions in the presence of calcium
  • Lower moisture absorption increases freeze/thaw resistance
Soil Stabilization

Stabilization of problematic soils along with sediments and waste streams in environmental applications.

  • Pozzolans increase strength over time.
  • Quicklime raises the pH of a soil to the point that naturally present pozzolanic compounds in clayey soils are solubilized making them available for long term cementitious reactions in the presence of calcium
  • Lower moisture absorption increases freeze/thaw resistance
Full Depth Reclamation

Lime used in full depth reclamation (FDR) saves time and lowers material and overall cost.

  • Full Depth Reclamation provides cost savings vs. reconstruction due to eliminating hauling and landfill of existing roadway
  • Minimizes road closures as the finished product can typically handle traffic loads within hours
  • Lower material cost by recycling on-site material
  • Lime-based products are field-proven to achieve 0.37 coefficients for the base layer on the VDOT I-81 rehabilitation project
  • Learn more about Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) application
Contaminated Soil, Sediment and Sludge Remediation
  • Lime-based products decrease moisture content in contaminated soils, sediments and waste streams, adjusts the pH and improves geotechnical properties including strength and compaction
  • Economical dewatering to save money on transport disposal costs by positively affecting the bulk density of the material
  • Reduces plasticity aiding heat transfer and volatilization of contaminates
  • Aids in bioremediation processes by altering the characteristics of biosludges thereby increasing stability & reducing pathogens
  • Meets 503 Regulations for Class A & Class B Biosolids Treatment
Safety

Material handling of Quicklime

As with any chemical, handling of quicklime needs to be treated with respect. If handled properly, it is a very safe product. There‌ ‌are‌ ‌several‌ ‌precautions‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ quicklime.‌

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Eye Irritation

Safety glasses should be worn when working with lime-based products. In dusty and/or windy conditions gasketed safety glasses or goggles should be worn.

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Skin Irritation

When lime is exposed to moisture, or sweat, a chemical reaction can take place that could cause chemical burns. Appropriate clothing covering exposed skin is recommended.

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Respiratory Irritation

The use of a respirator can minimize breathing dust.

Technical Data

Quicklime

Calcium oxide and magnesium oxide (CaO + MgO):
> 90%

Carbon dioxide (CO2):
< 5%

Appearance:
white or grayish white material

Odor:
Odorless

pH at 25°C:
12.45

Bulk Density:
55-75 #/ft – depending on sizing

Solubility:
Neglible in water but reacts with water to produce Ca(OH)2 and heat. Soluble in acids, glycerin, and sugar solutions