Limestone

Limestone 

Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that is mainly composed  of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), usually in the form of calcite or  aragonite. It is formed when calcium carbonate minerals  precipitate out of water that contains dissolved calcium. This can  happen through both biological and nonbiological processes.

Applications of limestone: 

Limestone has many benefits for various fields and applications.  Some of the benefits of limestone are:

1. It is a source of lime, which is used for making cement,  concrete, glass, and agriculture. Lime is also used for  neutralizing acidic soils and water.
2. It is a building stone that is widely used for flooring,  exterior and interior facings, and monuments. It has a  natural beauty and durability that can enhance the  appearance of any structure.
3. It is a decorative floor covering that comes in different  colors and textures. Travertine tile is a form of banded  limestone that is popular for its aesthetic appeal
4. It is a soil conditioner that can improve the fertility and  drainage of the soil. It can also increase the availability of  nutrients for plants and animals in ponds.
5. It is an insulator that can help keep the temperature of  your home constant. It can reduce the cost of heating and  cooling your house.
6. It is a reservoir rock that contains about 30% of the world’s  petroleum resources. It can provide valuable information  on the geologic history and evolution of life on Earth.

Processing of limestone: 

Processing of limestone is a process that involves several steps,  which are:

• Quarrying: Limestone is extracted from the earth’s crust  through the process of quarrying. This involves drilling and  blasting the rock to break it into smaller pieces.
• Crushing and screening: The extracted limestone is then  crushed and screened to different sizes according to the  needs of the customer or the end product. This can be  done using a crusher or a hammer mill.
• Grinding: The crushed limestone is then ground into a fine  powder in a grinding mill. This increases the surface area  and the reactivity of the limestone.
• Calcination: The limestone powder is then heated in a kiln  to produce calcium oxide (also known as quicklime). This is  a chemical reaction that removes carbon dioxide from the  limestone and releases heat.
• Hydration: The quicklime can then be reacted with water  to form hydrated lime (also known as slaked lime). This is