ENVIRONMENTAL USES

LIME PRODUCTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL USES

The use of lime to address environmental problems is one of the fastest-growing markets for lime products. Lime has found key uses in almost every area of pollution prevention and abatement, including treatment of air emissions, treatment of both drinking water and wastewaters, and remediation of hazardous wastes. Lime’s unique characteristics, coupled with its low cost, make it an attractive choice for these applications.

CONTACT THE LIME ASSOCIATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL USES.

LIME IS USED IN DRINKING WATER FOR:

Lime works to soften water by removing carbonate and non-carbonate hardness. The result, purified water, that tastes better, lathers soap better and is ready for consumption.

WATER SOFTENING

REMINERALIZATION

pH ADJUSTMENT

LIME PRODUCTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO FLUE GAS TREATMENT:

Lime is used to remove acidic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), and hydrogen chloride (HCl), from flue gases. Lime is more reactive than limestone, and requires less capital equipment.

LIME REACTS WITH THE SULFUR DIOXIDE TO FORM CALCIUM SULFITE

THE SULFITE CAN THEN BE AIR-OXIDIZED TO FORM CALCIUM SULFATEDEHYDRATE, OR GYPSUM

THE OVERALL REACTION OF THE LIME WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID IS SIMILAR

ACIDIC GASES CAN BE REMOVED BY WET OR DRY SCRUBBING

LIME PRODUCTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENTS:

Lime is also extensively used in the treatment of municipal wastewaters, as well as industrial liquid wastes.

Lime products are unique in that they completely precipitate out, and can precipitate metals, non-metals, suspended solids and dissolved solids. Additional benefits from lime softening include disinfecting water by removing pathogens and viruses by sorption and/or high pH, including cryptosporidium.

HEAVY METALS REMOVAL

pH NEUTRALIZATION

ALKALINITY ADDITION FOR BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

LIME PRODUCTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT FOR:

Lime is widely used to treat hazardous waste – both currently generated process wastes and previously disposed or abandoned materials.