Products
Quicklime
Quicklime is one of many reagents offered by Mintek Resources. Quicklime, also referred to as lime (calcium oxide (CaO)), is derived from high quality, natural deposits of limestone (calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) or dolomitic limestone (calcium magnesium carbonate (CaCO3 + MgCO3). Quicklime is produced by heating the stone to almost 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Throughout the process, quality control measures and precise instrumentation are utilized to ensure the quicklime produced is a consistent, high-quality product.
Quicklime Products
Quicklime is offered in a variety of product sizes to fit any application or jobsite
Quicklime Fines, generally less than ¼-inch in size. The small sizing helps accelerate the reaction of the product once applied to the soil, sediment or waste stream. Primary delivery methods of Quicklime fines to the job site include: pneumatic trailers, EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers, or supersack
Pulverized Quicklime Fines, a fine grade material with similar physical properties to cement. The ultra-fine sizing ensure the material will flow through spreader equipment easily and quickly. Primary delivery methods include: pneumatic trailers, EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers, or supersack.
Pebble Quicklime, with sizes ranging from 2-inch down to ¼-inch, is a great option for any application where dust is a concern. Pebble Quicklime is traditionally delivered to the job site in EPA-Tarp compliant dump trailers or supersacks.
Quicklime Markets
Quicklime is a widely used chemical compound that plays a crucial role in everyday applications
Construction – Quicklime is used in the construction industry to dry, modify, and stabilize soil by lowering plasticity, minimizing shrink-swell potential, and resisting freeze-thaw cycles. Its rapid reaction keeps projects on schedule and on budget, making it ideal for jobs like roads, warehouses, and data centers where long-term strength and stability are essential.
Environmental – Quicklime is essential in environmental applications for solidifying and stabilizing contaminants, streamlining waste treatment, and driving cost-effective remediation in challenging environments.
Oil and Gas – Quicklime is used to dry, modify, and stabilize soils, providing greater internal friction for pipeline installation, slip repair, and well pad/haul road development. This process helps reduce landslide risks and improve overall productivity in the industry.
Industrial – In industrial markets, quicklime is used to help control air pollution, remove impurities in steelmaking, and treat wastewater to ensure safe, clean drinking water.
Soil Drying
Lime provides the fastest drying option.
- Outperforms Portland cement in drying applications
- Lime-based products offer fast, effective drying to keep projects on time and on budget
- Once hydrated, the high availability of calcium oxide creates exothermic reactions and quickly drives off moisture
- Over 30% of its weight in water can be absorbed as quicklime hydrates
- Hydration reaction generates heat to allow job sites to progress in cold, wet weather conditions
Soil Modification
Modification of problematic soils along with sediments and waste streams in environmental applications.
- Quicklime can modify soils to minimize, if not eliminate, shrink/swell potential, increase freeze/thaw resistance and provide short and long-term strength gains
- Quicklime boosts the optimum moisture content (OMC) and lowers the maximum dry density (MDD), making it easier for soil to absorb water and achieve targeted compaction
- Quicklime improves critical water contents and reduces the plasticity index (PI)
Soil Stabilization
Stabilization of problematic soils along with sediments and waste streams in environmental applications.
- Pozzolans increase strength over time.
- Quicklime raises the pH of a soil to the point that naturally present pozzolanic compounds in clayey soils are solubilized making them available for long term cementitious reactions in the presence of calcium
- Lower moisture absorption increases freeze/thaw resistance
Full Depth Reclamation
Lime used in full depth reclamation (FDR) saves time and lowers material and overall cost.
- Full Depth Reclamation provides cost savings vs. reconstruction due to eliminating hauling and landfill of existing roadway
- Minimizes road closures as the finished product can typically handle traffic loads within hours
- Lower material cost by recycling on-site material
- Lime-based products are field-proven to achieve 0.37 coefficients for the base layer on the VDOT I-81 rehabilitation project
- Learn more about Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) application
Contaminated Soil, Sediment and Sludge Remediation
- Lime-based products decrease moisture content in contaminated soils, sediments and waste streams, adjusts the pH and improves geotechnical properties including strength and compaction
- Economical dewatering to save money on transport disposal costs by positively affecting the bulk density of the material
- Reduces plasticity aiding heat transfer and volatilization of contaminates
- Aids in bioremediation processes by altering the characteristics of biosludges thereby increasing stability & reducing pathogens
- Meets 503 Regulations for Class A & Class B Biosolids Treatment
Spotlight
Calculate the reagent needed for your jobsite with the Dose Rate Calculator, powered by Mintek.
Safety
Material Handling of Quicklime
As with any chemical, handling of quicklime needs to be treated with respect. If handled properly, it is a very safe product. There are several precautions working with quicklime.
Technical Data
Quicklime
Calcium oxide and magnesium oxide (CaO + MgO):
> 90%
Carbon dioxide (CO2):
< 5%
Appearance:
white or grayish white material
Odor:
Odorless
pH at 25°C:
12.45
Bulk Density:
50-75 #/ft3 – depending on sizing
Solubility:
Negligible in water but reacts with water to produce Ca(OH)2 and heat. Soluble in acids, glycerin, and sugar solutions