Abstract: This research aims to investigate the effect of free lime and lime saturation factor on grindability of cement clinker. Cement is a powdered substance that develops strong adhesive and cohesive properties when mixed with water. Cement production involves a number of processes, these include; Preparation of raw materials, production of clinker, preparation of cement and its packaging. Clinker formed as a result of heating of well blended raw materials that undergo a chemical transformation inside the kiln. The methodology of this research work, are; 10g samples of clinker were collected on the apron conveyor chute with liter weights, (table 2.1), the weighted samples (10g) of clinker were milled and pelletized with the aid of pyridine and binding agent. The pelletized samples were subjected to XRF/XRD machine using thermo fisher analysis. They were done to determine the mineralogical compositions of the clinker samples and their respective elemental oxides. The result of the clinker minerals are; C3S (Tri calcium silicate), C2S (Di calcium silicate), LSF (Lime Saturation Factor) and other elemental oxide (table 2.2). However each of the sample were subjected to grinding for 40 minute using ball mill after adding 5% gypsum, these was done to determine the energy required to grind the clinker sample, and fineness was determined for each using the Blaine cell and air permeability apparatus (table 2.3). Correlation and regression analysis (statistical method) were applied on these results (table 2.4), the implication of the results shows there increase in energy requirement as FCaO (free lime) and LSF (lime saturation factor) increase in the clinker samples, there is also increase in energy requirement with the increase in Blaine (fineness). Therefore thus a clinker with low free lime would be grinded more easily than with high free lime, and also implies that the high the LSF and hence the harder the clinker to grind.
Keywords: Clinker, Lime saturation factor, Free lime, Belite, Alite Blaine, Correlation, Regression, Energy.
Title: Effect of Free Lime and Lime Saturation Factor on Grindability of Cement Clinker
Author: Rikoto I.I, Nuhu, S
International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online)
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