Reactivity of calcium carbonate prepared from flue gas desulfurization gypsum

Abstract

Abstract Reactivity of various calcium carbonate samples for flue gas desulfurization was tested. Two groups of CaCO3 samples were considered; natural limestone containing calcite phase dominantly and samples prepared by the conversion of gypsum with ammonium and carbon dioxide (precipitated CaCO3) containing different amounts of calcite, aragonite and vaterite. Reactivity of precipitated calcium carbonate depends primarily on the particle size, similarly as in case of industrial samples. The initial reaction rate was comparable with the industrial limestones for samples with the average particle size lower than 15 μm. However, the conversion of laboratory samples was significantly higher after 5 min of the reaction. Phase composition of the precipitated calcium carbonate has a minor but noticeable impact on the reactivity. The presence of vaterite slightly increased the reactivity, which is in accordance with its lower compact structure in comparison with calcite and aragonite. Unexpected effect of the increased content of aragonite, which is the most compact phase in comparison with calcite and vaterite, was observed. If calcium carbonate contains up to approximately 30 % of aragonite the reactivity increases, which can be explained by the SEM pictures showing agglomerate composition with relatively high specific surface. At higher contents of aragonite, the reactivity decreases. All the obtained results proved the suitability of precipitated CaCO3 prepared from flue gas desulfurization gypsum to be recycled in the flue gas desulfurization process.