Abstract
In this paper, it is proposed to obtain hydrated lime from the woody ash of algaroba (Prosopis juliflora), rich in calcium. Due to the expressive concentration of potassium in the algaroba ash, a washing step became necessary since it acts as a flux, preventing the formation of reactive calcium oxide structures at the decomposition temperature of the calcium carbonate. Thus, the beneficiation process consisted in the collection, sieving in ANBT NBR mesh n° 200 (0.074 mm), washing in hot water (100 °C) to reduce the concentration of potassium, calcination and hydration. The lime produced from algaroba ash was characterized by the following techniques: granulometry analysis by laser diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and TG/DTG thermogravimetric analysis. After characterizations, the results of the algaroba lime were compared to the commercial CHI lime and the ABNT standard. The results showed that the lime of algaroba had physical-chemical and mineralogical properties corresponding to commercial lime, chemical composition with 78% of calcium hydroxide (CaOH2), and chemical specifications and fineness recommended by the ABNT standard, thus being classified as a CHI lime of the calcitic type.
Keywords:
biomass rich in calcium; algaroba; lime; ash; potassium
