Finite Element Analysis of Reaction Front Tracking in Lime Calcination

Calcination process is carried out in shaft kilns or rotary kilns for producing the lime. In the present work, the decomposition rates of the limestone in shaft kiln are experimentally measured in laboratory scale equipment. Mathematical model has been developed by using Finite element technique to track the reaction front movement from the surface to the core. The results obtained from the experiments are compared and validated with that of the model. Influences of parameters such as ambient temperature and the particle size are studied. The variation of reaction zone thickness during the process of decomposition has been studied and analyzed. Temperature profiles inside the lime particle are calculated and the influence of the reaction front position on these temperature profiles has been analyzed.