Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, 2017, 5(3): 189-193

Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology ISSN:

Volume 5, Issue 3, 2017 2321-5674 (Print)
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Research article Indexed in CAS and CABI

Impact factor:0.64
Thermogravimetric analysis of some samples of limestone available at
Pidugurlla, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
G. Grace Victoria1*, S.Muttareddy2
1. Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
2. Government college for women, Chirala, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding author: G.Grace Victoria, Research Scholar, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar,
Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
ABSTRACT
Keywords: TGA is one of the important techniques in thermal analysis. In Thermal analysis
Thermogravimetric specific physical properties of materials are measured as a function of temperature
analysis, Limestone production of new high technology materials and the resulting requirements for a more
precise characterization of these substances have increases the demand for thermal
Article Info: gravimetric analysis. Limestone Analysis, Composition Analysis, Product Reliability and
Received: 20-02-2017 how the clinker formation is avoided was studied in the present investigation.
Revised: 07-03-2017
Accepted: 30-03-2017

1. INTRODUCTION air. They are hygroscopic and react with moisture or

carbon dioxide. This is the main reason why a quick
TGA has been used to determine the physical
lime is usually a mixture of three compounds.
and chemical properties of the substances. In
thermogravimetric analysis the mass of sample in a Also quicklime and hydrated lime may change
controlled atmosphere is recorded continuously as a their phase during storage and handling .Being derived
function of temperature or time. A plot of mass or mass from natural limestone they may also contain mineral
percent as a function of time is called a thermogram or usually non-calcium impurities mostly silica and
a thermal decomposition curve. This analysis relies on alumina and also magnesium compounds from the
a high degree of precision in three measurements. They dolomite impurities of limestone.
are weight, temperature and temperature change.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Limestone is a general term denoting both
Collection of the sample: Samples were collected from
carbonate rocks and fossils. It is composed mostly of
stock piles, conveyors, wagons and trucks. Particle size
calcium carbonate or is a combination of calcium and
distribution of the samples was analyzed. Chemical
magnesium carbonates with varying amount of
analysis of the samples was done for the determination
impurities. There exists in Piduguralla, Guntur dist.
of Silica as SiO2, Iron as Fe2O3, Alumina as Al2O3,
Andhra Pradesh an abundant low cost and readily
Calcium as CaO and Magnesium as MgO.
accessible supply of limestone .The aim of the present
investigations is to evolve suitable conditions to avoid Instrumentation: Modern commercial instrument for
the clinker formation during the manufacturing of lime thermogravimetry consist of a Sensitive analytical
from limestone. balance, a Furnace, a Purge gas system for providing an
inert (or some reactive) atmosphere, and a
Due to the clinker formation production of lime
Microcomputer/ microprocessor for instrument control
decreases so lime manufacturer was economically
and data acquisition and display. In addition a purge gas
loosed. Lime (quicklime) is a calculated form of
switching system is a common option for application in
limestone. Hydrated (slaked) lime is created from it
which the purge gas must be changed during
upon addition of water. The term of Lime is understood
experiment.
to represent both quick lime and Hydrated lime .The
lime may be high calcium or Dolomite type, Specifications:
dependently on the type of raw limestone. Furnace:
 Temperature range: RT to 1100°C
Contrary to caco3 which is among the most
chemically stable compounds calcium oxide and  Temperature accuracy: ±0.3K
calcium hydroxide are not stable under atmospheric  Heating time 10min (RT to 1100°C)

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 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, 2017, 5(3): 189-193
 Cooling time 22min (1100°C to 100°C) presented in table 2. The data indicates that 42.5% of
 Heating rate 150K/min the compound is being decomposed and that the
 Cooling rate -20K/min (=150°C) decomposition starts at 6800C and completes at 8170C.
 Sample Volume =900µL Sample: M1 Black
Balance (MX1/MX5):
 Measurement range: =1g/5g The thermogram of the black colored limestone
 Resolution 1.0µg collected from mine (M1 BLACK) is shown in figure 3.
The % of mass loss of the sample at various
Calorimetric:
temperatures are measured from the thermogram and
 Sensor type: SDTA(simultaneous differential
presented in table 3. The data indicates that 51% of the
thermal analyzer
compound is being decomposed and that the
 Surface material: Platinum
decomposition of M1 black starts at7000C and
 Number of thermocouples: 1 completes at 8800C.
 Signal time constant at 900°C: 15s
 Sensivity: 0.5 mW Sample: GR1 Black
 Furnace temperature resolution: 0.005K The thermogram of the black colored limestone
 Enthalpy reproducibility: better than 5% collected from Guravayya mine is shown in figure
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.The % of mass loss of the sample at various
Sample: M1 White temperatures are measured from thermogram and
presented in table 4. The data indicates that 21.2% of
The thermogram of the white colored limestone the compound is being decomposed the data indicates
collected from mine (M1 white) is shown in figure that the decomposition of GR1 black starts at 6800C and
1.The % of mass loss of the sample at various completes at 8600C.
temperatures are measured from the thermogram and
presented in table 1.1.67% of the compound is being Sample: SP1 Black
decomposed. The data indicates that the decomposition The thermogram of black colored limestone
of M1 white starts at 6500C and completes at 8200C. collected from Swarna Pitchyya mine is shown in figure
Sample: M1 Brown 5. The % of mass loss of the sample at various
temperatures are measured from the thermogram and
The thermogram of brown colored limestone presented in table 5. The data indicates that 80% of the
collected from mine (M1 brown) is shown in figure.2. compound is being decomposed and that the
The %of mass loss of the sample at various decomposition of SP black starts at 7000C and
temperatures are measured from the thermogram and completes at 9050C.

Figure.1.Thermogram of M1 white

Table.1.The mass loss of the sample (%) against temperature of M1 white limestone
Temperature oC Mass loss (%) Temperature oC Mass loss (%)
29.61 0.00 561.21 3.74
135.93 1.33 667.52 3.91
242.25 2.78 773.84 37.80
348.57 3.40 880.16 67.11
454.89 3.72 986.48 67.40

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 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, 2017, 5(3): 189-193

Figure.2.Thermogram of M1 Brown

Table.2.The mass loss of the sample (%) against temperature of M1 brown limestone
Temperature oC Mass loss (%) Temperature oC Mass loss (%)
28.15 0.00 561.13 4.96
134.74 3.75 667.73 5.13
241.34 4.50 774.33 6.78
347.94 4.63 880.93 42.24
454.54 4.82 987.52 42.46

Figure.3.Thermogram of M1 Black

Table.3.The mass loss of the sample (%) against temperature of M1 black limestone
Temperature oC Mass loss (%) Temperature oC Mass loss (%)
28.30 0.00 561.01 7.60
134.84 5.87 667.55 7.82
241.38 6.85 774.09 7.97
347.93 6.97 880.64 51.06
454.47 7.34 987.18 51.24

Figure.4.Thermogram of GR1 Black

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 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, 2017, 5(3): 189-193
Table.4.The mass loss of the sample (%) against temperature of GR1 black limestone
Temperature oC Mass loss (%)
27.93 0.00
134.55 3.96
241.18 4.63
347.80 4.72
561.05 5.13
667.67 5.53
774.30 5.71
880.92 21.04
987.54 23.00

Figure.5.Thermogram of SP1 Black

Table.5.The mass loss of the sample (%) against temperature of SP1 black limestone
Temperature oC Mass loss (%) Temperature oC Mass loss (%)
28.34 0.00 561.27 6.53
134.93 4.39 667.86 6.53
241.51 5.84 774.44 12.64
348.10 6.03 881.03 80.00
454.69 6.36 987.62 80.51

4. CONCLUSION the calorific value of the coal to generate only the

required temperature in the kiln for the formation of
The above said data ultimately indicates that all
lime thus avoiding clinker formation.
the limestone samples analyzed exhibiting the
decomposition in the temperature range 6500C-9050C. REFERENCES
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