Description
Lime slurry, or milk of lime, is a suspension of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in water. Our CALSAFE lime slurry is a ready-made high calcium liquid lime formulated to adjust pH levels or add needed alkalinity for industrial processes. CALSAFE is safe and easy to use, requiring no solids handling.
Benefits:
- High calcium content enables efficient use as an alkali (base) to raise pH levels
- As a ready-to-use liquid, CALSAFE lime slurry alleviates the challenges associated with dry-feed systems including bridged silos, plugged feed, and slaker repairs and maintenance
- Minimizes the loss of lime which occurs when handling dry product
- Eliminates dust concerns, reducing mess in-shop and lessening environmental impact
- Simplifies shipping, storage and handling as no slaking equipment is needed
- Reduced capital costs compared to quicklime and hydrated lime processing
- Safety advantages as it requires no solids handling and is non-hazardous (compared to caustic soda)
For additional information, to view our Product Typical Sheet or to discuss availability with our sales group, please contact us.
Documentation
For additional information, to view our Product Typical Sheet or to discuss availability with our sales group.
Lime Slurry Production
To create CALSAFE lime slurry, it all begins with limestone. After being quarried, crushed, and calcined in a kiln, the resulting quicklime can be slaked with water in a hydrator to produce hydrated lime. On its own, hydrated lime is a dry powder. To achieve a liquid lime product (or slurry), the dry quicklime or hydrated lime is added to water. The calcium oxide/hydroxide particles then become suspended, forming the milky liquid lime. CALSAFE lime slurry is made directly from quicklime or hydrated lime.
CaO + H2O --> Ca(OH)2 + heat
For proper storage, lime slurry needs to be in a mix tank capable of continuously agitating the solution to prevent settling. CALSAFE lime slurry is delivered in loads of 4500-4,600 gallons – the capacity of our lime slurry tankers. Partial loads present a safety risk as they may shift during transport, so we recommend storing lime slurry in properly designed mixed slurry tanks with at least 7,000 gallons of capacity to make sure you have the capacity to add new loads to your existing supply, without first running your tank to empty. Once the solution is needed, it is transferred via pumps at the proper feed rate to the point of application. For expert support with lime slurry handling equipment, learn about our Carmeuse End-2-End Services.
Specifications
Typical Ranges are below.
Lime slurry or milk of lime solutions are specified according to the concentration of calcium hydroxide solids they contain by weight, which generally ranges from 18% to 40%.
Calcium content (Ca(OH)2): 88-93%
Solids range: 25-40%
- CALSAFE 40% calcium hydroxide by weight solids is produced at the Carmeuse facilities in Baltimore, MD, and East Chicago, IN.
- CALSAFE 30% calcium hydroxide by weight solids is produced at the Carmeuse facility in Bellingham, MA.
- CALSAFE 25% calcium hydroxide by weight solids is produced at the Carmeuse Blind River Operation in Ontario.
Uses for Lime Slurry
CALSAFE lime slurry is ready-made, safe, and easy-to-use for a wide array of industrial applications. As a leading expert in lime and its uses, Carmeuse is ideally positioned to advise you on the use of CALSAFE lime slurry in your process.
- Water Treatment – Improves water quality through pH adjustment, contaminant removal or stabilization, and controls hardness in treated water, reducing water distribution issues
- Soil Stabilization – Provides a dust-free solution to modify and stabilize soils by acting upon the soil’s clay components, modifying their surface mineralogy
- Chemical Manufacturing – processes can include use as an alkali source, pH adjustment, or in a metathesis reaction
- Ore Processing – used to react with and/or separate valuable components such as copper, gold, or lithium from their parent rock or brine
- Agricultural Uses - Neutralizes acidic soils creating the best growing environment for your crops and enhances nutrient availability to improve your yields
There are distinct advantages switching to lime from caustic soda, including cost savings and improved safety for users. To see a closer examination comparing lime products to caustic soda, read our article, Switching to Calcium Products from Caustic Soda
Lime slurry is generally considered more safe than caustic as lime has a pH of 12.45 at 25°C compared to caustic which has a pH of 14. As a result, skin contact with lime slurry is rarely a health hazard, but always is with caustic. Nevertheless, proper PPE should be worn at all times and caution must be taken to properly shield your eyes from contact with lime slurry. For a full outline of safety guidelines when using CALSAFE lime slurry, see our Safety Data Sheet.
For an in-depth look at what you need to know for safe delivery, offloading, and storage of CALSAFE lime slurry, read our article Lime Slurry Handling: A Good Practice Guide
Product specifications will vary by location. For more information, including availability and product typicals for your area, contact our team
Do you have a question about this product?
Ask our specialists