Milk of Lime Slaking with Process Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing milk of lime of great fineness face challenges such as dependency on clean water quality and type of quicklime used, leading to high viscosity and costs, while also requiring complex equipment and restrictive conditions for slaking operations.
Innovation Solution
A process using process water, such as alkaline, saline, or sulfate water, is employed to produce a milk of lime with slaked lime particles of specific size distribution and high reactivity, allowing for on-site slaking even where clean water is scarce, by progressively adding water to lime compounds under controlled conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If clean water is used for slaking quicklime to produce milk of lime of great fineness, then particle size distribution and reactivity are improved, but water quality requirements and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the slaking water by using alkaline water with controlled pH and composition. This allows the use of non-potable water sources while maintaining the required particle size distribution (d50 between 2-5 μm) and reactivity of the milk of lime product
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive clean water with cheaper process water or waste water that can be used once for slaking. This reduces water costs without compromising the fineness and quality of the lime particles produced
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional slaking methods are used with clean water, then milk of lime of great fineness is obtained, but viscosity increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the slaking water by using alkaline water with specific pH and ionic composition. This modifies the surface chemistry of the lime particles, reducing inter-particle attraction and thus lowering viscosity while maintaining fine particle size (d50: 2-5 μm), improving both fineness and ease of handling
3Manufacturing precision
If high-quality clean water is required for slaking operations, then consistent particle size is achieved, but production costs and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex water treatment systems with a simple alkaline water source that can be used directly for slaking. This eliminates the need for sophisticated filtration and purification equipment while maintaining consistent particle size production through the chemical properties of the alkaline water
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the water chemistry parameters to alkaline conditions, which simplifies the slaking process and equipment requirements. The alkaline environment promotes consistent particle formation without requiring complex treatment systems, reducing both equipment complexity and operational costs
4Reliability
If very reactive quicklime is used to produce fine milk of lime, then reactivity of the product is improved, but cost and availability constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH and chemical composition parameters of the slaking water to alkaline conditions. This compensates for lower quicklime reactivity by creating a chemical environment that promotes complete hydration and fine particle formation, allowing the use of less reactive and more economically available quicklime while maintaining high product reactivity
Solution Approach 2:
The alkaline water acts as an intermediary that facilitates the reaction between quicklime and water. It mediates the hydration process to ensure complete reaction and fine particle size even when the quicklime itself has lower reactivity, thus decoupling product quality from the quality/cost of the starting material
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a milk of lime with high reactivity and low viscosity, stable over time, which is cost-effective and does not require high-quality water or very reactive quicklime, enabling efficient on-site production with reduced equipment needs.
Implementation Method 1
The water reacts with the quicklime particles during the slaking operation in an exothermic reaction to form slaked lime.
Implementation Method 2
quicklime is added to water in a pre-mixer, at a specific mass ratio and allowed to mix together with said water
Data Source
AI summary
Process for manufacturing a milk of lime of great fineness comprising at least the steps of providing one lime compound and forming said milk of lime with a process water and said lime compound.