ENERGY OPTIMIZATION IN LIMESTONE CALCINATION: KINETIC MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MFAMOSING LIMESTONE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION VIA THE COATS-REDFERN METHOD

The thermal decomposition of limestone is a critical process in various industrial applications, including cement production and flue gas desulfurization. This study focuses on the energy optimization of limestone calcination, specifically characterizing the thermal decomposition of Mfamosing limestone using the Coats-Redfern method. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) was employed to obtain kinetic data for different particle sizes of Mfamosing limestone. The Coats-Redfern method was utilized to model the kinetics of the thermal decomposition, allowing for the determination of activation energy and pre-exponential factors. The study revealed that the activation energy increases with particle size, with values of 2.646×10³ kJ/mol for 0.45 mm, 2.858×10³ kJ/mol for 0.60 mm, and 4.342×10³ kJ/mol for 2.0 mm particles. Key findings include the identification of optimal calcination temperatures and the impact of particle size on the reaction rate. The results demonstrate that smaller particle sizes require lower activation energy, thus enhancing the energy efficiency of the calcination process. This research provides valuable insights into the energy optimization of limestone calcination, contributing to improved industrial practices and reduced energy consumption.