The invention features methods and systems for calcining wet
calcium carbonate lime mud produced in a re-causticizing manufacturing operation, for instance, Kraft
pulp mill lime mud (“
lime mud”) and converting it to re-burned lime by (a) feeding wet lime mud obtained from a re-causticizing manufacturing process into a flash dryer and then feeding the dried lime mud into a bubbling fluid
bed calciner thermally linked by moving media
heat transfer (MMHT) utilizing
solid particulate media to a circulating fluid
bed combustor wherein the MMHT provides heat input for
calcination and
drying; (b) recycling the media being from said calciner to said
combustor wherein said
combustor receives mill WWTP
sludge, or precipitated lignins, or
biomass, or NCGs as fuels to re-heat the
solid particulate media; and (c) recovering calcined “soft-burned” lime mud from the fluid
bed calciner. Steam and heated boiler feed-water are also generated and exported to the mill's steam distribution and generation
system as well as hot process water for use in the mill's boiler house and manufacturing operation. The
system for calcining
calcium carbonate lime mud produced from a re-causticizing manufacturing operation and converting it to re-burned lime comprises a calciner and a combustor linked by a moving media
heat transfer MMHT
system or apparatus. The MMHT system or apparatus thermally links separate fluid bed
combustion (exothermic) and
calcination (endothermic) stages. The system further comprises a flash dryer or
spray dryer that utilizes exhausted heat from the
calcination stage.