Summary

Calciment LKD is a finely sized powder and a co-product of the lime manufacturing process used for a variety of applications, including:

  • Modification of clay soils to improve engineering properties and meet geotechnical specifications
    • Increased bearing capacity
    • Reduction in plasticity index
    • Reduction of shrink/swell potential
  • Accelerated drying to meet targeted optimum moisture content and compaction goals = Less downtime due to inclement weather
  • Stabilization of soils, sediments, and sludges to provide both short and long-term strength gains
  • Extending your construction season with the ability to work in cold, wet conditions due to the exothermic reaction produced by lime reagents
  • Keeping projects on track to save time and money
  • Stabilizing additive for full-depth reclamation of clayey soils
  • Environmental remediation of contaminated hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Lime Kiln Dust/LKD is a co-product of lime manufacturing. Lime is created when high quality, natural deposits of Limestone, or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is subjected to extreme heat. Once crushed and sized, the limestone is fed into kilns where it is calcined, basically cooked, at temperatures as high as 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.  During this progression the extreme heat causes the limestone to chemically release carbon dioxide (CO2). The end result is lime and a byproduct called Lime Kiln Dust or LKD.

 

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Chemically, Lime Kiln Dust / LKD is a mixture of calcium and magnesium oxide plus pozzolans making it a suitable alternative to quicklime or Portland cement used in the drying, modification, and/or stabilization of soils, sediments and waste streams. Physically, LKD is a dry bulk powder with similar attributes as quicklime or Portland cement. The fine particle size of Lime Kiln Dust makes it ideal for construction projects as it easily flows through equipment, including spreader trucks.

Lime Kiln Dust is an economical alternative to traditional chemical reagents and is extremely cost-effective when compared to alternative treatment options. Lime Kiln Dust is backed by field-proven results to meet project specifications including strength and compaction as well as save time and money on thousands of construction and environmental job sites nationwide. Lime Kiln Dust is available for shipment via pneumatic or dump bulk truck loads, supersacks, or 40# or 80# bags to meet a variety of job site requirements. Our team of technical experts are available to help design the right solution for your application.

Lime Kiln Dust / LKD In Modification, Stabilization and FDR

Modification

Use Lime Kiln Dust to modify wet, unworkable soils to meet geotechnical specifications for compaction and stability. The use of LKD results in reduced plasticity of clay soils and minimized shrink swell potential after wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles.

Drying

Lime kiln dust accelerates drying to meet targeted optimum moisture content and compaction goals. High amounts of available calcium oxide (CaO) chemically bind to free water in the soil, this reaction generates a great deal of heat that drives off additional moisture in the form of steam. By accelerating drying work can continue in cold, wet seasons eliminating downtime and keeping projects on schedule.

Stabilization

LKD is also used in the stabilization of soils, sediments and sludges using cementitious properties to provide both short and long-term strength gains. Pozzolans present in the product create the cementitious properties that allow Lime Kiln Dust to stabilize problematic soils to meet compressive strength requirements, as well as sediments and waste streams to meet landfill requirements including proof-roll and paint filter.

Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)

Lime Kiln Dust can also be used in Full Depth Reclamation as a stabilizing additive to increase strength when repairing reclaimed material with higher clay content.

Environmental Remediation

Lime Kiln Dust can be used to accelerate drying and solidification of various types of contaminated hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams to meet RCRA specifications for landfill disposals. LKD will also provide strength gains and heavy metal waste fixation by adjusting the pH reducing metals solubility. Ideal for many types of waste streams, Lime Kiln Dust has been used nationwide for environmental projects including: ash pond dewatering, industrial services, Superfund site clean-up, Great Lakes Legacy Projects, public and private sediment dredging, tank sludge clean-out, MGP Waste, Mine spoils, Heavy metals, NORM waste, refinery sludges, acidic wastes and more.

Material Handling of Lime Kiln Dust / LKD

As with any chemical, handling of LKD needs to be treated with respect. If handled properly, it is a very safe product.

There‌ ‌are‌ ‌several‌ ‌precautions‌ ‌working‌ ‌with‌ lime kiln dust.‌

  • Eye irritation: Safety glasses should be worn when working with lime-based products.  In dusty and/or windy conditions gasketed safety glasses or goggles should be worn.
  • Skin irritation: When lime kiln dust is exposed to moisture, or sweat, a chemical reaction can take place that could cause chemical burns. Appropriate clothing covering exposed skin is recommended.
  • Respiratory irritation: The use of a respirator can minimize breathing dust.

 

Links: Lime Kiln Dust / LKD SDS