Physico-Chemical Characteristics of
Liming Materials as Related to
Neutralization of Mineral Acids
L. JOHN MINNICK
C.  PRESGRAVE
G. & W. H. Corson, Inc.
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
The investigation presented in this paper is part of a broad research
program on lime which has been carried out over a number of years
by G. & W. H. Corson, Inc. The program has been directed to a
study of the physical and chemical characteristics as well as the behavior
of various liming materials when applied to specific uses; examples of
which are the use of lime as an alkali in the chemical industry, as a
neutralizing agent for acid waste treatment, as a construction material,
as a soil conditioner in farming, and as an additive in combination with
pozzolanic materials in the stabilization of soil for road construction
purposes.
Some of the properties of lime which may be highly beneficial for
one use will be undesirable for other purposes; thus, the development
of a highly plastic lime is extremely valuable in the construction field,
but as will be developed in this paper, such lime is usually unsatisfactory
for use in acid neutralization reactions. The information presented
in this paper summarizes a few of the important characteristics of
several lime materials, and evaluates these products primarily with
regard to their effectiveness when used as alkalies in the neutralization
of mineral acids. The study of neutralization rates, settling rates, and
bleeding rates, together with microscopic analysis, are considered to be
important aspects of the problem and are therefore emphasized in this
presentation.
Over the last few years there has been a considerable increase in
the use of lime for the treatment of industrial acid wastes. In order
to assist in the design of the treatment plants, the lime industry has
frequently been called upon to supply information to the consumers
pertaining to such matters as chemical availability, neutralization reaction rates, types and forms of lime, and suitable methods for handling
and shipment of the various lime products.   Unfortunately, not all of
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