Search for specific industries where calcination (1) and roasting (2) are used.

Identify the specific

processes where it is employed.

1. CALCINATION
 Definition: Calcination involves heating a solid chemical compound (such as mixed
carbonate ores) to high temperatures without melting it. The process occurs under a restricted
supply of ambient oxygen (usually gaseous O2 fraction of air). The primary objectives of
calcination are to remove impurities, eliminate volatile substances, and induce thermal
decomposition.

 Historical Origin: The term “calcination” comes from the Latin word “calcinare”, which
means “to burn lime”. Lime (calcium oxide) is a prominent product of calcination.

Common Applications:
a. Cement Production: Calcination of limestone (calcium carbonate) in cement kilns yields
calcium oxide (quicklime), a crucial ingredient in modern cement. The cement clinker calcination
process can be divided into six stages: drying (removal of moisture from raw materials),
preheating (preheating the raw mix before entering the kiln), chemical decomposition (reactions
leading to clinker formation), exothermic reaction (heat release during clinker formation),
sintering (formation of solid clinker), and cooling (cooling the clinker before further processing).

b. Mineral Processing: Calcination is used to:

- Remove chemically bound water from minerals
- Activate carbon
- Decompose carbonate ores (e.g., bauxite, gypsum)
 c. Catalyst Preparation: Calcination enhances catalyst performance by removing impurities.
Calcination is carried out in a rotary kiln.

Illustration above: Rotary Kiln

d. Other Applications:
- Inducing phase transformations (e.g., converting anatase to rutile)
- Zeolite synthesis
- Developing a graphitic structure in anthracite
Industrial Processes:

 Calcination occurs in various furnace designs, including shaft furnaces, rotary kilns, and
fluidized bed reactors.
 Examples of calcination processes:
- Decomposition of carbonate ores (e.g., limestone)
- Removal of water of crystallization from hydrated minerals
- Heat treatment for phase transformations
- Removal of ammonium ions during zeolite synthesis
 2. ROASTING
 Definition: Roasting in metallurgy refers to a process where sulfide ores are heated to high
temperatures in the presence of air. It is a crucial step in the processing of certain ores.
 Purpose: The primary goal of roasting is to purify the metal component(s) within the ore. It
involves gas–solid reactions at elevated temperatures.

Common Applications and Industries:

a. Metallurgical Industry:
- Sulfide Ore Roasting: In metallurgy, roasting is used to convert sulfide minerals into
their oxides. The ore or ore concentrate is treated with very hot air, causing thermal gas-
solid reactions. These reactions can involve oxidation, reduction, chlorination, sulfation,
and pyrohydrolysis.

b. Catalyst Preparation:
- Curing the catalyst by bonding the active material to the carrier.
- Removing impurities.
- Controlling surface density and crystallization phase.
c. Other Industries:
- Dead Roasting in Zinc and Pyrite Roasters: Dead roasting is used to transform sulfides
into oxides.
 Illustration above: Pyrite Roasting Plant

References:
Byju’s. (n.d.). Calcination and roasting. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 1
Cement Plant Equipment. (2020, September 9). All the things about cement clinker calcination in
cement production process. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 2
FEECO International, Inc. (n.d.). How calcination is used in catalyst preparation. Retrieved
February 12, 2024, from 3
Metso Outotec. (2022). Roasting solutions. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 4
ONEJOON. (n.d.). Calcination. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 5
Vulcandryingsystems. (n.d.). Calcining. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 6
Wikipedia. (2024, January 31). Calcination. Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 7
Wikipedia. (2024, January 28). Roasting (metallurgy). Retrieved February 12, 2024, from 8
Zeng, Q., Zhang, J., & Li, Y. (2024). Calcination of low-grade laterite for concentration of Ni by
magnetic separation. In Y. Li, J. Zhang, & Q. Zeng (Eds.), Advances in Materials Manufacturing
Science and Technology XVII (pp. 51-56). Springer. 9