A STUDY ON THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF DOLOMITE FROM WEST ANATOLIA REGION USING SEMI-PILOT SCALE ROTARY FURNACE

Abstract

Decomposition behaviour of dolomite from the western Anatolia region (Turkey) was investigated using semi-pilot scale rotary furnance as a part of magnesium production project. Experiments were carried out using 1000 g of dolomite samples at different temperatures (800-1100 °C) and time (0-300 min). It was found that be decomposition process increased with increasing time and temperature. TG/DTA and XRD analysis showed that dolomite decomposition followed two stage reactions; first is formation of CaCO3 and MgO, the second is following CaCO3 decomposition. Decomposition mechanism of semi-pilot experiments was found to be first order reaction with activation energy of 126.8 kJ mol-1.