www.alicomec.

rw

ALICOMEC LTD

Use of lime
Lime made in Rwanda by ALICOMEC LTD
Dipl. –Ing. Boniface Hagenimana

19
www.alicomec.rw
Contents
Table of Figures .......................................................................................................................................iii
Tables ......................................................................................................................................................iv
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Introduction to lime ........................................................................................................................ 2
3. Lime products made by ALICOMEC................................................................................................. 3
3.1. High quality white lime ........................................................................................................... 3
3.2. CoAgro.1 .................................................................................................................................. 4
3.3. CoAgro.2 .................................................................................................................................. 4
3.4. Metagro................................................................................................................................... 4
3.5. Travertine (Travagro ).............................................................................................................. 4
3.6. Industrial quicklime ................................................................................................................. 6
4. Lime for Civil works ......................................................................................................................... 6
4.1. Lime mortar ............................................................................................................................. 6
4.1.1. Importance of lime mortars ............................................................................................ 6
4.1.2. Dosage of lime and lime-cement composite mortars by volume ................................... 7
4.1.3. Coating with lime and lime-cement composite mortar .................................................. 8
4.1.4. Lime wash........................................................................................................................ 9
4.2. Lime for drink water treatment............................................................................................... 9
4.2.1. Coagulation...................................................................................................................... 9
4.2.2. Softening. ...................................................................................................................... 10
4.3. Lime for Odor Control ........................................................................................................... 12
4.4. Lime for Earthworks and road construction.......................................................................... 13
4.4.1. General .......................................................................................................................... 13
4.4.2. Practical use of lime for soil stabilization ...................................................................... 13
5. Lime for Agriculture....................................................................................................................... 23
5.1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... 23
5.2. Lime application .................................................................................................................... 23
References............................................................................................................................................. 25

ii
www.alicomec.rw
Table of Figures
Fig. 1: Lime cycle...................................................................................................................................... 3
Fig. 2: Slaking curve for ALICOMEC Quicklime ........................................................................................ 6
Fig. 3: The conformity of binder depending on grain size of the soil (soil type)................................... 13
Fig. 4: evaluation of strength test ......................................................................................................... 17
Fig. 5: Proctor test on soil stabilized with lime /Hagenimana, 2016/ ................................................... 18
Fig. 6: Atterberg limits test on soil stabilized with lime /Hagenimana, 2016/...................................... 19
Fig. 7: Strength test on soil stabilized with lime/Hagenimana, 2016/ .................................................. 20
Fig. 8: Swelling test on soil stabilized with lime/Hagenimana, 2016/................................................... 22
Fig. 9: Mix - on site system .................................................................................................................... 23
Fig. 10:Mix - in - Plant system................................................................................................................ 23

iii
www.alicomec.rw

Tables
Table 1: requirements on lime according to EN 459............................................................................... 2
Table 2: Dosage for lime and lime-cement composite mortars.............................................................. 8
Table 3: Recommendation for coating with lime and lime cement composite mortars ........................ 8
Table 4: recommended Dosage for Sludge Stabilization....................................................................... 12
Table 5: Requirements for layers in earth works and road construction ............................................. 14
Table 6: recommended amount of binders for soil stabilization .......................................................... 16

iv
www.alicomec.rw

v
www.alicomec.rw

1. Introduction
ALICOMEC Ltd is the first Rwanda’s lime leading producers since 1993. Mr. UWIMANA Etienne who is
the owner of ALICOMEC and the whole team dispose sufficient required skills and experience to keep
taking his company to the next level together with his current staff that is also committed to put in
both time and expertise.

The company produces a high quality lime that meets national and international standards.
According to EN 459, the ALICOMEC’s special lime is classified as CL – 80 –S which means: calcic air
lime with calcium oxide content plus magnesium oxide equal or greater than 80% Magnesium oxide
content is less than 5%. The letter S 2stays for slaked or hydrated. The calcium oxide content of
ALICOMEC’ special lime is80-85%, the calcinations capacity is being improved to get the content
grateter than 90%(CL-90-S)

The produced lime is used for Civil works (Construction, sanitation and other infrastructures),
industrial and agricultural purposes

ALICOMEC Ltd is equipped with facilities that ensure high quality services. Some of those facilities are
listed here:

 The factory with a production capacity of 150t/month of special lime, 800t/month of each
CoAgro and Metagro, and any required quantity of Travagro. This production capacity can be
increased if the need and market rise.

 10ha Quarry for lime stone and travertine

 One Trucks for the transport with 25t loading capacity.

 One Pick up for office services

 One Range Rover for the General Director.

This document describes the products of ALICOMEC and explains the use of each product.

1
www.alicomec.rw
2. Introduction to lime

Calcium air limes (known hereinafter as limes, quicklimes, or hydrated limes) are produced by the calcination
of limestones, with a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of greater than 95% and a temperature between
800 ºC and 1000°C as per the following reaction:

CaCO3 + 770 Kcal/Kg CaO + CO2

The calcium oxide produced in the calcination of limestone immediately reacts with the water, transforming
into calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This phenomenon is known as hydration or slaking of quicklime: CaO.
The product obtained, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), is known as hydrated or slaked lime.
The slaking process produces a large amount of heat according to the following reaction:

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2 + 1150J/g

According to EN 459 air lime may fulfill the requirements in table 1

Table 1: requirements on lime according to EN 459

Lime CaO(+MgO for MgO CO2 SO3 Grain size (for slaked lime) Moisture
Quicklime) content[%]
-S(slaked)
(for slaked
with ethylene
-Q( Retained on Retained on lime)
diamine
Quick) 0,09 mm[%] 2 mm[%]
tetraacetate
(EDTA) method

CL 90 > 90 <5 <4 <2 <7 <2 <2

CL 80 > 80 <5 <7 <2 <7 <2 <2

DL 85 > 85 > 30 <7 <2 <7 <2 <2

DL80 > 80 >5 <7 <2 <7 <2 <2

2
www.alicomec.rw
ALICOMEC is targeting the production of CL 90 –S. this will be achieved through the planned
amelioration of Kilns (avoiding the loose in Energy) and the use of Petroleum coke instead of
firewood.

The lime is an environmentally beneficial product since it forms a cycle. This lime cycle is shown in
figure 1.

Fig. 1: Lime cycle

3. Lime products made by ALICOMEC

Apart from the standard lime CL-80- S (special lime), ALICOMEC produces also the lime related
products. Those products are discussed in this section. ALICOMEC named those products to
differenciate them. Those name are used in this document.

3.1. High quality white lime

This is industrial lime (hydrated lime) which is used in the production of variety of chemicals including
alkalis, calcium carbide, Cyanamid, citric acid, petrochemicals, propylene glycol glycerin, magnesia,
calcium hypochlorite, and many others. It is also used in water and waste treatment, sugar refining,

3
www.alicomec.rw
refractories, food industries, leather processing. At ALICOMEC high quality lime is produced as
“Special Lime”.

According to EN 459 this lime is classified as “CL-80-S” that means : calcic air lime with calcium oxide
content plus magnesium oxide equal or greater than 80% Magnesium oxide content is less than 5%

This lime can be used also in civil works, since the calculation standards consider the standardized
lime

3.2. CoAgro.1
This is another type of industrial lime produced by ALICOMEC through the same production
processes as for Special lime. This passes through 0.5mm sieve This lime is used in civil works such as
construction of buildings (mortars) and also used to stabilize the soil hence by reducing the
quantities of cement that could be used instead.

3.3. CoAgro.2
Hydrated lime passing through 5mm sieve, dominant construction-related use of lime is soil
stabilization for roads, building foundations, and earthen dams. Since it is not so fine as the special
lime, it is advised for the civil works requiring less fine particles and it improves the gradation. This
product reduces the amount of cement and improves the moisture resistance and durability. This
lime is also used in agriculture to reduce quickly soil acidity.

3.4. Metagro
Crushed Limestone mixture with hydrated lime (passing through 5mm sieve). This mixture provides
higher quality than Travagro and CoAgro. because it combines both calcinated lime(for a quick
reaction) and limestone(for long term reaction). This Lime is applied to correct acid conditions in the
soil. Metagro is the best quality in agriculture.

3.5. Travertine (Travagro )

Crushed Limestone is not the same as fertilizer. Lime is applied to correct acid conditions in the soil,
so fertilizer can be utilized to their full potential by plants. The availability of many nutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are reduced as acidity of the soil decreases. In order to

4
www.alicomec.rw
maximize the benefits of a fertilizer application, lime should be applied to soils when the pH falls
below an optimum range.

Soil acidification, or a decrease in soil pH, is a natural process that is accelerated by crop production
practices, primarily the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, or other
fertilizers containing ammonium-N.

As soil is acidified by those fertilizers, soil chemical and biological properties change. One chemical
change is the increased solubility of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), both of which can be toxic
to plants. Plants vary in their tolerance of Al and Mn, creating crop-specific soil pH requirements.
Adding lime increases soil pH (reduces acidity), adds calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium (Mg), and
reduces the solubility of Al and Mn in the soil.

5
www.alicomec.rw
3.6. Industrial quicklime
This kind of lime is being introduced by ALICOMEC LTD in 2019. This is a burned lime which is
crushed and grinded or screened to meet a requiredfineness.

This lime is used in construction industries (manufacturing of AAC Blocks, ground improvement,…),
Energy industries(Peat plants producing electricity from peat,…),…

In accordance with EN 459, the quicklime manufactured by ALICOMEC LTD is CL-80-Q

Fig. 2: Slaking curve for ALICOMEC Quicklime

4. Lime for Civil works

The lime is an indispensable product for civil works. This is used:

 In construction of buildings as lime mortars or mixture of lime and cement

 In road construction and earthworks for soil stabilization
 In drinking water treatment as PH regulator and calcium source
 In sewage and sanitation for odor and PH control

4.1. Lime mortar

The recommended lime for lime mortar is Slaked lime (CL 90-S, CL 80-S, CL 70-S) /ANCADE, 2009/

4.1.1. Importance of lime mortars

The lime mortar is the best way to get sustainable structure through its stability in different
conditions of humidity. This mortar offers the following advantages:

6
www.alicomec.rw
 Good plasticity and workability.: The lime, because of its fineness, covers the surface
between the aggregates, avoiding friction and improving sliding.
 Lack of shrinkage due to volume stability under variable conditions of humidity.
 Great elasticity which favours adaptation to the deformations of the substrate without
producing cracking.
 Volume stability under variable conditions of humidity.
 Appreciable permeability to water vapour which allows walls to "breathe." Avoids
condensation.

 It does not cause efflorescence due to the absence of soluble salts.

 Good thermal and acoustic insulation.

 It allows the creating of thinner coats achieving results which are impossible for other
materials.

 It is easy to colour with a great range in colourings and luminosity of colour.

 It ensures sealing and coating.

 Lime mortars have good resistance to the penetration of rainwater when applied as vertical
external finishes.

 It is natural disinfectant and fungicidal product thanks to the alkalinity of the lime.

 It is fireproof product which does not emit toxic gases.

If the increase of strength is also targeted, the lime and cement composite mortar can be preferable.
This mixture brings the following advantages to the cement mortar:

 Greater adherence

 Greater plasticity

 Increase in vapour permeability

 Reduction of efflorescence

 Reduced shrinkage and cracking

4.1.2. Dosage of lime and lime-cement composite mortars by volume

The dosage by volume for lime mortars is summarized in the table 2.

Note that the mortar for brick laying requires a certain level of strength, that is why a lime-cement
composite is advised for that brick laying mortar. In that case the both advantages from lime
(workability, volume stability in different conditions of humidity,…) and Cement(quick hardening and
strength) are gained.

7
www.alicomec.rw

Table 2: Dosage for lime and lime-cement composite mortars

Type of Mortar Cement Slaked lime Sand

Slaked lime mortar in putty 1 3

Recommended for restoration work

Slaked lime mortar in powder 1 3

Recommended for marble and terracotta pavin

Combined Mortar 1 1/2 5

Recommended for new constructions

1 1 6

1 2 8

Generally, an addition of 1 unit lime implies an addition of 2 units of aggregates compared to the
used units for cement only.

4.1.3. Coating with lime and lime-cement composite mortar

For a sustainable coating, more than one layer should be applied on the wall. Once the first coat has
been applied, before applying the second, it is necessary to wait until the first coat has sufficiently
hardened. The substrate should be prepared first. The finished coat should be observed as substrate
for the next one.

The substrate should be a cured and harden surface, not water absorbent, clean, rough and wetted.

Three coats are advised. those coats are summarized in the table 3. For hardening of a coat, 1 to 7
days are required, depending on the climate
Table 3: Recommendation for coating with lime and lime cement composite mortars

Nr Coat Recommended Recommended material

thikness
1 Bonding coat 15-20mm Lime cement composite mortar
2 Plastering 1-15mm Lime cement composite mortar
3 finish coat; render externally or 5-7mm Lime mortar
plaster internally

8
www.alicomec.rw
4.1.4. Lime wash
The lime wash is a mixture of lime with water (1 part slaked lime per 2 to 5 parts water, depending
on wished whiteness, in volume).
This is an economic and hygienic process, that can be used to paint external and internal walls.

Lime washes should be applied on backings which are solid, clean, free from dust and non-floury; in
addition they should have a certain roughness.

The lime wash does not have adherence on coatings which contain waterproofing agents and on
synthetic resin paints.

When lime washes are carried out on a coating after two to four hours of its application, the finish
lime wash becomes integrated into the finish coating. After this time(4h), the coatings cannot be
applied before the complete hardening of the substrate(finish coat) and it becomes necessary to
moisten the substrate before each coat, especially during periods which are very sunny and dry, or
with strong winds or on very absorbent backings.

Inorganic pigments can be added to the lime wash to get a needed color. The weight of the pigment
additions should never exceed 10% of the dry binder weight for oxides and 25% for earth based
pigments.

Lime wash can be used for other purposes such as Treatment of wood as disinfectant and
disinfection using lime wash on the walls of cellars, basements, barns, etc. A general dosage for lime
washes is 25Kg of lime in 100l of water.

4.2. Lime for drink water treatment

The lime is used in drink water treatment mostly as PH regulator and source of calcium.

This is applied in different steps of drink water treatment

4.2.1. Coagulation

It is the process by means of which the colloidal particles in water are destabilised (i.e. the nature of
the colloidal particles is changed) so that they form flocs through the process of flocculation that can
be readily separated from the water. Destabilisation is achieved through the addition of chemicals
(called coagulants) to the water.
Different chemicals can be used as coagulants. The most common coagulants are:
Aluminium sulphate, also known as alum Al2(SO4)3.16 H2O.: The alum is dissolved in
water and the aluminium ions, Al3+ that form, have a high capacity to neutralise the negative charges
which are carried by the colloidal particles and which contribute to their stability. The aluminium ions
hydrolise and in the process form aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3 which precipitates as a solid. During
flocculation when the water is slowly stirred the aluminium hydroxide flocs enmesh the small
colloidal particles. The flocs settle readily and most of them can be removed in a sedimentation tank.
NOTE: Since aluminium may be harmful at high concentrations it must be allowed
9
www.alicomec.rw
to precipitate completely as the hydroxide. Complete precipitation is a function of
the pH of the water and the pH must therefore be closely controlled between 6,0
and 7,4. The lime is important to control this PH

Ferric chloride, FeCl3 is also commonly used as coagulant. When added to water, the iron precipitates
as ferric hydroxide, Fe(OH)3 and the hydroxide flocs enmesh the colloidal particles in the same way
as the aluminium hydroxide flocs do. The optimum pH for precipitation of iron is not as critical as
with aluminium and pH values of between 5 and 8 give good precipitation. The lime is important to
control this PH

Hydrated lime is also used as coagulant, but its action is different to that of alum and ferric chloride.
When lime is added to water the pH increases. This results in the formation of carbonate ions from
the natural alkalinity in the water. The increase in carbonate concentration together with calcium
added in the lime results in the precipitation of calcium carbonate, CaCO3. The calcium carbonate
crystals also enmesh colloidal particles and facilitate their removal. When lime is used as coagulant
the pH has to be lowered in order to stabilize the water chemically. Carbon dioxide is normally used
for this purpose. The use of hydrated lime is safer than all other chemicals, since it is natural, local
and adds calcium to water.

Polymeric coagulants including Dadmacs and polyamines which form white or brown flocs when
added to water.

Polyelectrolytes are mostly used to assist in the flocculation process and are often called flocculation
aids. They are polymeric organic compounds consisting of long polymer chains that act to enmesh
particles in the water.

Other coagulants are also sometimes used in water treatment. These include:
Aluminium polymers such as poly-aluminium chloride that provide rapid flocculation, efficient
removal of organics, and less sludge than alum under certain conditions, but at a higher cost.
Activated silica is sometimes used as a flocculant together with alum or hydrated lime as
coagulant.
Bentonite and/or kaolin are sometimes added to water when the water to be flocculated contains
too few particles for effective flocculation.

4.2.2. Softening.

The concepts of solubility, common ion effect, hardness and the carbonate system can be illustrated
by the reactions that take place during chemical softening of water. Softening involves the removal
of calcium and magnesium ions from the water. Softening can be achieved by means of ion exchange
or nanofiltration or by means of chemical precipitation. In the chemical precipitation process
calcium is precipitated as calcium carbonate, CaCO3 and magnesium as magnesium hydroxide,
Mg(OH)2, since these compounds have low solubility product values of 4,7 x 10 -9 for CaCO3 and 8,9
x 10 –12 for Mg(OH)2 respectively. In order to precipitate CaCO3 the solubility product must be
exceeded. This means that the concentration of calcium and carbonate ions must be increased.
This can be achieved by the addition of hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2 which will increase the Ca2+

10
www.alicomec.rw
concentration and at the same time increase CO32- concentration (for calcium carbonate hardness).
The CO32- concentration is increased as a result of the increase in pH to about 10,3 (due to the
addition of OH- ions) which causes the bicarbonate ions HCO3- to be converted to CO32- as can be
seen in the pH-pC diagram of the carbonate system.

Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 → 2CaCO3↓ + 2H2O

In the case of calcium non-carbonate hardness the ions associated with calcium cannot be
converted to carbonate ions and a different strategy must be used. In this case lime is first added
to increase the pH and add calcium to precipitate whatever carbonate hardness is present. In order
to utilise the common ion effect a source of carbonate ions must be added and sodium carbonate,
Na2CO3, also called soda ash is used.

Ca SO4 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3↓ + Na2SO4

In the case of magnesium hardness the magnesium is precipitated as magnesium hydroxide,

Mg(OH)2. The minimum solubility of magnesium hydroxide is at a pH of about 11, so more lime
must be added to increase the pH and at the same time add more OH- ions in order to exceed the
solubility product.

Mg(HCO3)2 + 2Ca(OH)2 → 2CaCO3↓ + Mg(OH)2↓ +2H2O

In the case of magnesium non-carbonate hardness lime must be added to increase the pH and
supply OH- ions and then soda ash must be added to precipitate the excess calcium ions added.
MgSO4 + Ca(OH)2 → Mg(OH)2↓ + Ca SO4
Ca SO4 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3↓ + Na2SO4
Note: When water has been treated by the addition of lime and soda ash the pH is normally around
11 and the water has to be stabilised before distribution. This is normally achieved through the
addition of CO2 to reduce the pH to the level where the water is stable with respect to CaCO3
(normally at a CCPP of 4 mg/l and a pH level of 7 to 8,5). Recarbonation involves the addition of
CO2 to neutralise excess OH- ions and to convert carbonate ions to the bicarbonate form to reduce
the scale-forming potential of the water. This can be done in a two-stage or one-stage process. In a
two-stage process CO2 addition takes place to neutralise Ca(OH)2 and precipitate excess CaCO3
which is removed in a settler. Further addition of CO2 converts CO32- to HCO3- to prevent
precipitation of CaCO3 on filter sand or in distribution systems.

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3↓ + H2O

CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Ca(HCO3)2

11
www.alicomec.rw
4.3. Lime for Odor Control
The reduction and prevention of odors is a significant part of many wastewater treatment programs.
They are normally the result of biological activity creating anaerobic conditions. In these conditions
sulfate reducing bacteria, convert sulfate (SO4-) compounds into a variety of sulfide bearing
compounds. These sulfide compounds can be simple hydrogen sulfide or more complex organic
molecules. In wastewater systems these compounds are found both in their dissolved and gaseous
forms. Control programs can address either or both forms, however, with persistent odor problems
the program must address sulfides in the dissolved state.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most common odorous gas found in wastewater collection and
treatment systems. Its characteristic rotten-egg odor is well known. The gas is corrosive, toxic, and
soluble in wastewater. Hydrogen sulfide results from the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide gas
by bacteria under anaerobic conditions. Desulfovibrio bacteria, which are strict anaerobes, are
responsible for the majority of the reduction of sulfate to sulfide, according to the following
equation: SO42- + 2C + 2H2O → 2HCO3- + H2S
At a pH of approximately 9, more than 99% of the sulfide (H 2S)dissolved in water occurs in the
form of the nonodorous hydrosulfide ion (HS-). Consequently, odorous amounts of hydrogen
sulfide gas will not be released if a pH above 8 is maintained. Below this pH value, hydrogen sulfide
gas is released from the wastewater. In comparison, odorous ammonia gas is released primarily at
a pH greater than 9. The lime is very important to prevent the odors because it increases the PH.
For Ammonia odors, a PH>9 is required. Practically the required lime for sludge stabilization is 10-
15% of biosolid. The recommended dosage for Slugde Stabilization is summarized in the table 4
Table 4: recommended Dosage for Sludge Stabilization

Dosage for Slugde Stabilization

Lime dosage Kg
Solid concentration[%] Ca(OH)2/Kg dry solid Lime dosage Kg Ca(OH)2/m3

Sludge type range typical range typical range typical

Primary 3-6 4.3 0.06 - 0.17 0.12 5.25 5.35 5.29

Waste
activated 1-1.5 1.3 0.21-0.43 0.30 3.92 3.94 3.93

combined
primary and
waste
activated 1.5-3 2.5 0.15-0.35 0.24 6.05 6.11 6.09

Digested 5-6 5.5 0.15-0.3 0.25 14.18 14.26 14.22

12
www.alicomec.rw
4.4. Lime for Earthworks and road construction
4.4.1. General
Lime is an indispensable product in earthworks and road construction especial for stabilization of fine
grained soils (Clay and Silt). The lime increases the volume stability(prevention of swelling problems),
workability, and water resistance.

In road construction, the lime is widely used for the improvement of Sub-base and Sub- grade.

The stabilization is achieved with calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) or calcium oxide(Quicklime) The
calcium carbonate(also known as agricultural lime) is ineffective except as filler, that is providing the
fine grained materials to improve the grading. The stabilizing effect depends on chemical attach by
the lime on the clay minerals in soils to form a cementitious compounds (calcium silicate). This
increases the liquid and plastic limits and reduces the plastic index.

The conformity of binder depending on grain size of the soil (soil type) is shown on Fig.2

Fig. 3: The conformity of binder depending on grain size of the soil (soil type)

Region A: CH: cannot be treated, to fine (first of all add some coarse aggregates to improve the
grading)
Region B: CI, CL, And MI: stabilization with lime
Region C: Lime and cement-lime compound 50/50
Region D: GU*, SU*: cement-lime compound 30/70 and 50/50
Region E: GU, SU: cement-lime compound 30/70 and Cement
Region F: GW, GI: only cement
Region G: cannot be treated, to coarse (first of all add some fine aggregates to improve the grading)

4.4.2. Practical use of lime for soil stabilization

For a convenient use of lime for soil stabilization, the soil identification tests are recommended to
make sure that the lime is adequate for the proposed soil.

13
www.alicomec.rw
The requirements for underground are fixed depending to the purpose. For the road construction,
the following requirements are recommended.

Table 5: Requirements for layers in earth works and road construction

Required amount of binder From a coformity

test
Degree of compaction Layer Soil Dpr [%]
Subgrade up 1,0m deep in a fill GW, GI, GE, 100
and up to 0,5m deep in a cut SW, SI, SE, GU,
GT, SU, ST

1,0m under subgrade up to fill GW, GI, GE, 98

base. SW, SI, SE, GU,
GT, SU, ST
Subgrade up to fill base and 0,5m GU*, GT*, SU*, 97
deep for a cut ST*, U, T, OU,
OT
Generally for layers with soil 98
that is stabilized with lime
(BVDKI, 2004)
Young’s moduls EV2 Subbase over a fine ≥45
[MPa] grained soil

Subbase over a coarse High loaded roads intermediate loaded

grained soil roads
≥120 (Evd ≥ 65) ≥100 (Evd ≥ 50)

Generally for layers with ≥45 (but 70 for a high quality improvement)
soil that is stabilized with
lime (BVDKI, 2004)
Other requirements Surface Tolerance in heights: ±2cm
(BVDKI, 2004) Levelness Tolerance: ±2cm/4m measured length
Thickness Tolerance: ±10%
Tolerance on the required From total amount: -5% and +8%
amount of lime
From each mix design: -10% and +15%

Thickness of a layer 20 up to 30cm for coarse grained soil and 10 up to 20cm for fine grained soil
for a convenient (15cm in general)
compaction

14
www.alicomec.rw
After fixing the requirements the tests are carried out to determine the construction data and the
required amount of lime or other binder for the stabilization. The reaction time of binder is to be
considered to ensure the practical results.

Those tests are:

Sieve analysis of untreated soil: This helps to identify the soil and find the gradation for its
convenience by compaction

Compaction (Proctor) test on untreated and treated soil: this helps to find out the maximum dry
density and the optimum water content for the compaction.

Atterberg limits on untreated fine grained soil and treated soil: this is used to classify the fine
grained soil.

Los on ignition on the untreated soil: this is used to see the amount of organic matter in the soil. It is
recommended to use a soil with low loss on ignition (avoiding organic matter)

Strength test: a compression test or CBR test on treated soil: this test is important to determine the
amount of the required lime or other binder. This test is done on samples with different dosage of
lime or other chosen binder and the amount corresponding with a fixed amount (from requirements)
is determined.

For lime, the samples are kept in a room with at least 90% humidity for 28days before test. This
condition can be achieved through keeping the sample in a wet cloth enclosed in a tight bucket. Any
other method can be applied to get such condition.

The strength is represented graphically in function of the lime or other binder.

Note that the lime increases the optimum water content and the maximum density decreases
(increase of workability). The strength rises up to a certain level. Too much lime can reduce the
strength. That is why a certain range is given for tests. This range is summarized in table 6

15
www.alicomec.rw

Table 6: recommended amount of binders for soil stabilization

Treatment Binder Quick lime Slaked Cement Mixed binder

according lime according
to DIN EN according to EN
459-1 to EN 197-1
459-1
Time for 6h 2h 1h 4h
Reaction
Amount of binder [Mass %] related to dry mass of
soil

soil
Soil stabilization Coarse grained - - - -
soil (GE, GW, GI,
SE, SW, SI)
Mixed soil (GT, - - 4 - 10 4 - 10
GU, ST, SU)
Mixed soil with 4-6 4-8 6 - 12 6 - 12
more fine
grained soil (GT*,
GU*, ST*, SU*)
Fine grained soil 4-6 4-8 7 - 16 7 - 16
(UL, UM, TL, TM,
UA, TA)
Artificial soil - - 4 - 16 4 - 16
Using the given range in table 6, the strength test is evaluated as shown of Fig.3

16
www.alicomec.rw

Fig. 4: evaluation of strength test

The volume stability is the most important result from the use of lime for soil stabilization. This
makes the road and other structure resistant against the change of weather.

From a study made at TU Kaiserslautern on a fine grained red soil using a slaked lime(CL-90-S)came
out:

 The optimum water content rises and the proctor density decreases when the lime was
added to the soil. This is a sign of workability(see Fig.4)
 The Liquid and plastic limits rise whereas the plasticity index decreases, when the lime was
added to the soil. This a sign of water resistance of fine grained soil, when lime is added to
the soil.(see Fig. 5)
 The strength is increased up to certain level. up to addition of 6% lime, the strength raised
slightly and it started falling down. This means that the main purpose of soil stabilization is
not to increase the soil, but to maintain its characteristics by different conditions.
Furthermore, too much lime can affect the strength.(See Fig. 6)
 The swelling problem is significantly solved when lime is added to the fine grained soil. After
adding 4% lime the swelling capacity of a sample under water was reduced 10 times.(See Fig
7)

17
www.alicomec.rw

Fig. 5: Proctor test on soil stabilized with lime /Hagenimana, 2016/

18
www.alicomec.rw

45.0
y = 39.084x0.0087 WL[%]
40.0 R² = 0.9855
Water content WL, WP or IP[%]

35.0 y = 27.074x0.0398 WP[%]

R² = 0.9827
30.0
y = 11.576x-0.049 IP[%]
25.0 R² = 0.9407
20.0 Power
(WL[%])
15.0
Power
10.0 (WP[%])

5.0 Power
0 2 4 6 8 10 (IP[%])
added lime[%]
Fig. 6: Atterberg limits test on soil stabilized with lime /Hagenimana, 2016/

19
www.alicomec.rw

Fig. 7: Strength test on soil stabilized with lime/Hagenimana, 2016/

20
www.alicomec.rw

21
www.alicomec.rw

Fig. 8: Swelling test on soil stabilized with lime/Hagenimana, 2016/

While adding the lime to soil, two methods are available:

 Mix-in – place: Hier the lime is sprayed to soil and mixed on soil. The required water is also
added and the admissible layer is compacted. This method is the most used, because it runs
quick. But a good and experienced site Engineer is required to get an accurate mixture.
 Mix- plant: Hier the soil is mixed in a plant and the mixture is transported to the site. This
method is mostly so expensive that it is applied only in case the Mix –in – place is not
practible ( in channel construction and other closed sites)

22
www.alicomec.rw

Fig. 10:Mix - in - Plant system

Fig. 9: Mix - on site system

5. Lime for Agriculture

5.1. Introduction

Soil acidification, or a decrease in soil pH, is a natural process that is accelerated by crop production
practices, primarily the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, or other
fertilizers containing ammonium-N.As soil acidification occurs, soil chemical and biological properties
change. One chemical change is increased solubility of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), both of
which can be toxic to plants. Plants vary in their tolerance of Al and Mn, creating crop-specific soil pH
requirements. Adding lime increases soil pH (reduces acidity), adds calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium
(Mg), and reduces the solubility of Al and Mn in the soil.
ALICOMEC produces the high quality lime for the correction of soil acidity. For a quick reaction, a
calcinated lime (Coagro 2) is provided by ALICOMEC LTD. Travagro is uncalcinated lime (CaCO3) that
needs 6-9months to remark the reaction. Metagro is a mixture of both calcinated and limestone. This
provides a direct and the future reaction.

5.2. Lime application

The application rate is determined using the lime requirement test (SMP buffer method). For
established perennial or no till crops, a top dress lime application (1 to 2 t/a) may be beneficial.
When very different soils are present within a field, variable rate lime application is usually
advantageous.
Liming materials vary in effectiveness. The carbonate in traditional aglime (calcium or magnesium
carbonate) reacts with soil acidity to neutralize it.
Liming materials have very limited movement into the soil without incorporation. Tillage increases
effectiveness of all lime materials by mixing them into the rooting zone.
Lime application method (placement) takes two forms. Lime is either applied and left on the soil
surface or incorporated. In the absence of tillage, soil pH increases only in the 2-5cm of soil since
23
www.alicomec.rw
lime’s limited solubility means that the liming material must contact acidic soil before it will react and
change soil pH.
Frequency of lime application is determined primarily by cation exchange capacity (CEC) and crop
management practices, especially N fertilizer rate. Soil pH declines faster in sandy (low CEC) soils
than in soil with moderate to high clay content. The typical rate of pH decline is approximately 0.1 pH
unit per year when 0.5t ammonium N/a is applied.
For annual crop rotations, apply Travagro about a year before planting the crop that is most
sensitive to soil acidity. For perennial crops, soil test and apply lime prior to tillage for crop
establishment.
If direct reaction is needed, a calcinated lime may be applied. For this purpose ALICOMEC LTD
provides CoAGRO 2.

24
www.alicomec.rw
References
EN 459: Europian norm 459, part 1, 2 and 3

ANCADE, 2009: Spanish National Association of Manufacturers of Lime and Lime Derivatives:
Practical guide to lime mortars

Schutte, 2006: Frik Schutte; Water Utilisation Division Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Pretoria: handbook for the operation of water treatment works

Hagenimana, 2016: (Diplomarbeit) Final research of Hagenimana Boniface at TU KL: Tests for
interaction between the wheel and cohesive soils(Tests with lime for stabilization of fine grained red
soil)

N.P. Anderson, J.M. Hart, D.M. Sullivan, N.W. Christensen, D.A. Horneck, and G.J. Pirelli, 2013:
EM 9057 • May 2013: Applying Lime to Raise Soil pH for Crop Production

California Water technologies, 2011: Technical Bulletin/ The Control of Hydrogen Sulfide Odors

CRC Press, 1998: Technology & Engineering – 1

ICP, 2007: Ingenieurgesellschaft - Prof. Czurda und Partner mbH (2007)/

Bodenverbesserung, Bodenverfestigung

Briaud, Jean-Louis (Hg.) (2013): Geotechnical engineering. Unsaturated and saturated

soils. Hoboken NJ: Wiley

BVK, 2004: Bundesverband der deutschen Kalkindustrie e.V : Bodenvebesserung,

Bodenverfestigung.(Association of lime industries in Germany: Soil treatment)

Holcim (Suddeutschland) GmbH (2010): Bodenbehandlung, Tragschichten mit

Hydraulischen Bindemitteln( Soil treatment with binders)

25