Experimental study on calcination of a dolomite in Jiangxi Province

This study systematically explores the effects of calcination processes on the activity and quality of dolomite sourced from Jiangxi, using reactivity measurement methods. The goal is to identify the optimal calcination conditions to enhance the performance and application potential of dolomite. As a carbonate mineral, dolomite is primarily composed of calcium carbonate（CaCO₃） and magnesium carbonate（MgCO₃）, and is widely used in construction materials, ceramics, glass, environmental protection, and chemical industries. The calcination process is crucial for enhancing the material’s reactivity, and controlling calcination parameters is key to improve the physicochemical properties and reactivity of dolomite. By controlling factors such as calcination temperature, duration, and raw material particle size, the study investigates the impact of calcination on dolomite activity and determines the optimal conditions for maximizing reactivity. The results show that when the particle size is -40+5 mm, the calcination temperature is 1 000 ℃, and the calcination time is 60 minutes, the dolomite achieves its highest activity, with a reactivity exceeding 360 mL. This indicates that the reactivity of dolomite is significantly enhanced under these conditions. During calcination, the calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in the raw material decompose to form calcium oxide（CaO） and magnesium oxide（MgO）, and the formation and distribution of these oxides directly affect the material’s activity and subsequent performance in industrial applications. To further evaluate the effects of calcination on the chemical composition and whiteness of the dolomite, the study also conducts a compositional analysis of the calcined products. The experimental results indicate that under optimal calcination conditions, the product quality improves significantly. Specifically, the calcined dolomite contains over 45% CaO, more than 35% MgO, and exhibits a whiteness exceeding 90%. The high content of CaO and MgO enhances the material’s reactivity and makes it suitable for a broader range of industrial applications. Additionally, the high whiteness makes calcined dolomite more suitable for industries requiring raw materials with high whiteness, such as ceramics and glass.