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Classification and Differentiation of Calcium Carbonate

Posted: 2023-08-02

About Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaCO₃, constituting the primary component of limestone and marble. It typically manifests as white crystalline structures, devoid of any odor, exhibiting high insolubility in water while readily reacting with acids to liberate carbon dioxide. This substance exhibits wide distribution on Earth and can be found abundantly within aragonite, calcite, chalk, limestone, marble, and travertine rocks. Furthermore, it serves as a major constituent of certain animal bones or shells. Moreover, calcium carbonate holds significant importance as a versatile building material and finds extensive applications across diverse industries.

Classfication of Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate can be divided into different types based on production methods, including light calcium carbonate, heavy calcium carbonate, active calcium carbonate, and nano calcium carbonate.

(1)Light calcium carbonate
Light calcium carbonate is produced by calcining limestone to produce calcium oxide (lime) and carbon dioxide, followed by the addition of water to form calcium hydroxide (lime milk). Calcium carbonate is then precipitated through the introduction of carbon dioxide, dehydrated, dried, and crushed. The sedimentation volume of light calcium carbonate ranges from 2.4 to 2.8 mL/g.

(2)Heavy Calcium Carbonate
Heavy calcium carbonate is produced through the mechanical grinding of natural calcium carbonate minerals, such as calcite, limestone, chalk, and shells, to achieve the appropriate particle size using CLUM ultra-fine vertical grinding machines and HGM ultra-fine ring roller grinding machines. The sedimentation volume of heavy calcium carbonate ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 mL/g.

(3)Activated Calcium Carbonate
"Active Calcium Carbonate" refers to modified or colloidal calcium carbonate, where the surface of light or heavy calcium carbonate particles is altered using a surface modifier like a coupling agent or stearic acid. This modification enhances the reinforcing effect of calcium carbonate, commonly known as its "activity," hence earning it the name active calcium carbonate.

(4)Nano Calcium Carbonate
Nano calcium carbonate, also referred to as nano calcium, is produced by calcining carefully selected limestone using the carbonization method. The resulting calcium hydroxide undergoes high-shear crushing to eliminate impurities before being exposed to carbon dioxide in order to create a slurry of calcium carbonate. This slurry is then prepared through processes such as dehydration, drying and surface treatment.

The Differences Among Various Calcium Carbonates

1.The Distinction between Light and Heavy Calcium Carbonate
The primary distinction between heavy calcium and light calcium lies in their packing density. Heavy calcium exhibits a higher packing density, typically ranging from 0.8 to 1.3g/cm3, while light calcium possesses a lower packing density, usually falling within the range of 0.5 to 0.7g/cm3.

In terms of whiteness, heavy calcium contains more impurities resulting in a product with a whiteness level of 89% to 93%, rarely reaching up to 95%. Conversely, light calcium is chemically synthesized with fewer impurities, leading to higher purity and predominantly achieving a whiteness level of 92% to 95%, which can even surpasses 96%.

From the perspective of fluidity, the microstructure of light calcium assumes a spindle-shaped form with greater oil absorption value compared to heavy calcium; consequently, its dry flowability is inferior and necessitates incorporating over twenty-five parts into the formula for enhanced flowability. On the other hand, heavy calcium possesses an irregular granular shape that enhances mixture fluidity; thus allowing for significantly increased amounts under relaxed physical property conditions.

Lastly, water content varies between these two types: heavy calcium products exhibit low but stable moisture levels (generally around 0.2-0.3%), whereas light-calcium products contain relatively higher moisture content (usually ranging from about .03-.08%).

2.The Difference between active and Inactive Calcium Carbonate
Hydrophobic value: After activation, the surface of activated calcium exhibits obvious hydrophobicity due to the coating of organic active agent molecules.

Liquidity: Active calcium carbonate has lower surface tension and energy than active calcium. This reduces the viscosity resistance between particles and improves the fluidity of activated calcium powder, thus making the product have better dispersion under the same conditions.

Particle size: The surfactant on the surface of active calcium also reduces the particle agglomeration force, resulting in a smaller particle size that can be distinguished from non-active calcium by electron microscopy.

Oil absorption value: Because active calcium has a smoother microscopic surface and smaller porosity between particles, its oil absorption value is lower than that of non-active calcium.
Calcium Carbonate Grinding Mill

HGM Ultrafine Grinding Mill
Capacity: 0.2-45 t/h
Feed Size: ≤20 mm
Powder Fineness: 320-3000 mesh

The ultrafine mill is a crucial unit operation in numerous industrial processes, pulverizing solid materials into powder. It has extensive applications in metallurgy, construction materials, chemical industry, mining and other sectors. In addition to dolomite processing, this mill can process over 3000 types of materials including barite, quartz, feldspar, mica, calcite, talc, apatite gypsum fluorite limestone diatomaceous earth ceramic soil clay marble granite fly ash kaolin calcium carbonate slag bauxite glass and more. Boasting high efficiency and low consumption with the same fineness of finished product and motor power output twice that of air mills stirring mills and ball mills while consuming only 30% as much energy. Furthermore the wear-resistant materials used for the grinding roller and ring extend their service life two to three times longer. This mill features rigorous design with no screws or bearings in the grinding chamber to prevent damage caused by screw loosening. Additionally it can achieve high powder fineness (325-3000 mesh) that can be adjusted at any time.

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Classification and Differentiation of Calcium Carbonate

About Calcium Carbonate

Classfication of Calcium Carbonate

(1)Light calcium carbonate

(2)Heavy Calcium Carbonate

(3)Activated Calcium Carbonate

(4)Nano Calcium Carbonate

The Differences Among Various Calcium Carbonates

1.The Distinction between Light and Heavy Calcium Carbonate

2.The Difference between active and Inactive Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Carbonate Grinding Mill

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