Title of Invention	A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING LIME BRIQUETTES
Abstract	A process for producing lime briquettes comprising coating powder lime 0.5 kg to 10 kg of size below 75 micron with stearic acid 5 gm to 100 gm at a temperature of 80-100°C.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a process for producing lime briquettes. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Lime fines produced during calcination are about 20-30% of the feed depending on the quality of lime, calcination process and solid handling system. These fines of size below 10 mm cannot be used directly in steelmaking operation and hence need agglomeration. The existing process involves briquetting at high pressure briquetting press and used in steelmaking. The self-life of the briquettes are about a day. The briquettes absorb moisture from atomosphere and swell within 3-4 hours. These briquettes subsequently loose shape and crumble within a day. Thus, a significant amount of lime briquettes cannot be used for steelmaking due to swelling and crumbling. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to propose a process for increasing the shelf-life of lime briquettes produced from lime fines generated during the calcination of lime stone. Another object of this invention is to propose a process for increasing the shelf-life of lime briquettes produced from lime fines generated during the calcination of lime stone so that the life is increased beyond 7 days so that they can be used in steel making. Further, objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION: According to this invention there is provided a process for producing lime briquettes which comprises coating powder lime of size below 75 micron with an acid at a temperature of 80°-100°C, subjecting the coated powder lime to atmospheric moisture absorption for few days, and briquetting acid coated lime fines. In accordance with this invention, about 0 5 to 10 kg of fresh lime fines (below 10 mm) is mixed with 5 to 100 gms of stearic acid, and then heated to 80°-100°C with occasional stirring. The powder material is cooled and subjected to atmospheric moisture absorption for 2 days. Briquettes were made with stearic acid coated hydrated lime, at a pressure of 0.6 -0.7 t/cm2. The present invention will become further apparent from the following non- limiting examples. Example 1: Adding 5 gms of stearic acid to 0.5 kg of lime fines (below 10 mm) to form a mixture of coated lime fines the said mixture in then subjected to the step of stirring in a grinding ring mill at a temperature of 95°C and then it is exposed to atmosphere for 2 days, briquetting said coated lime fines to pressure of 0.6 t/cm2. Example 2: Adding 100 gms of stearic acid to 10 kg of lime fines (below 10 mm) to form a mixture of coated lime fines, the said mixture is then subjected to the step of stirring in a grinding ball mill at a temperature of 80°C and then it is exposed to atmosphere for 2 days, briquetting said coated lime fines to pressure of 0.6 t/cm2. WE CLAIM: 1. A process for producing lime briquettes comprising coating powder lime 0.5 kg to 10 kg of size of size below 75 micron with stearic acid 5 gm to 100 gm at a temperature of 80-100°C. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of coating comprises mixing fresh lime fines (below 10 mm) with stearic acid at a temperature of 80°-100°C with occasional stirring 3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of briquetting is done at a pressure of 0.6-0.7t/cm2. 4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein coated powder lime is subjected to atmospheric moisture absorption for 2 days. 5. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said acid is stearic acid, 6. A process as claimed in the proceeding claims substantially as herein before described. A process for producing lime briquettes comprising coating powder lime 0.5 kg to 10 kg of size below 75 micron with stearic acid 5 gm to 100 gm at a temperature of 80- 100°C.

Documents:

130-CAL-1999-FORM 15.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-abstract.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-claims.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-correspondence.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-description (complete).pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-examination report.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 1.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 18.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 2.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 26.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 3.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-form 5.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

130-cal-1999-granted-specification.pdf