LIMESTONE
1. INTRODUCTION:
• Limestone is a sedimentary rock, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in the form of
the mineral calcite. About 10% of all sedimentary rocks are limestone.
• Other constituents: Dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂], Magnesite (MgCO₃)
• Variants include:
o Dolomitic / Magnesian limestone (with dolomite CaMg(CO₃)₂ or magnesite MgCO₃).
o Marble or crystalline limestone: formed by metamorphism.
o Other types: Marl, oolitic, shelly, algal, coral, pisolitic, crinoidal, travertine, onyx, hydraulic,
lithographic limestone.
• Dimension limestone like flagstone splits into thin slabs and is used as ornamental/building stone.
• Other calcareous materials: Limeshell (mollusc shells) and Marl (lime-rich mud with clay and silt).
2. RESOURCE / RESERVE (IBM Year Book 2022):
• As per the NMI database (1st April 2020), an estimated 19,028 million tonnes (8%) are classified as
Reserves, while 208,560 million tonnes (92%) are classified as Resources.
• Top states by resource share: Karnataka (25%), Andhra Pradesh (13%), Rajasthan (13%), Gujarat
(10%), Meghalaya (10%), Telangana (8%), Chhattisgarh (6%), and Madhya Pradesh (4%).
• Grade-wise distribution: Cement grade (Portland) accounts for 69%, unclassified grades for 12%,
BF (blast furnace) grade for 6%, and other grades (chemical, SMS, paper, white cement, etc.) make
up 13%.
Marl Resources:
• Found in Gujarat. Total: 99.20 million tonnes
• Reserves: 68.15 Mt (69%), Remaining Resources: 31.05 Mt (31%)
3. SPECIFICATIONS OF LIMESTONE FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES:
Cement Industry
MgO % SiO₂ % Fe2O3 % CO2 % S% P%
Application CaO % (Min) LOI %
(Max) (Max) (Max.) (Min) (Max) (Max)
42 (min) to
Cement Grade 4.00 16.00 2.00 - - - -
46
Iron & Steel Industry
SMS Grade 48.00 3.00 4.00 - - - - -
BF Grade 42.00 4.00 9.00 - - - - -
LD Grade 52.00 2.00 1.00 - - - - -
Chemical Industry
Calcium carbide 54.00 0.80 1.00 0.25 42.00 46.00 0.10 0.01
Bleaching
54.00 2.00 0.75 0.15 42.00 46.00 - -
Powder
Caustic Soda 53.00 1.00 - - 42.00 46.00 - -
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Sugar 50.00 1.00 2.00 - 41.00 44.00 - -
4. USES
• Cement industry: Largest consumer (for Portland, blended, and white cement)
• Iron & Steel: Flux in blast furnaces and sinter plants (BF grade)
• Chemical industry: Production of lime, caustic soda, bleaching powder, etc.
• Glass and sugar industry: As flux and clarifier
• Paper industry: Filler material
• Soil treatment & water purification
• Building material: Dimensional stone, aggregates
• Metallurgical applications: SMS (LD, OH) grade limestone
• Agriculture: Soil conditioner
5. CONVERSION BETWEEN CaO and CaCO₃ AND CaC03 to CaO:
Limestone is often tested for CaO (calcium oxide) or CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) content. For conversion
between these two radicals just using molecular weights.
Formulas:
1. To convert CaO to CaCO₃: CaCO₃ % = CaO % X 1.784
2. To convert CaCO₃ to CaO: CaO % = CaCO₃ % / 1.784
What is 1.784?
It’s a conversion factor used to calculate how much CaCO₃ (calcium carbonate) is present based on the
amount of CaO (calcium oxide).
We use the molecular weights of CaCO₃ and CaO:
• CaCO₃ = 100.09 g/mol
• CaO = 56.08 g/mol
Molecular weight of CaCO₃ / Molecular weight of CaO = 100.09 / 56.08 ≈ 1.784
Examples:
1. If CaO = 46%, then: CaCO₃ = 46 X 1.784 = 82.06%
2. If CaCO₃ = 80%, then: CaO = 80 / 1.784 = 44.8%
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