Recovery of Pure Slaked Lime from Carbide Sludge: Case Study of Lagos State, Nigeria

J. A. Chukwudebelu; C. C. Igwe; O. E. Taiwo; O. B. Tojola

J. A. Chukwudebelu Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos State, Nigeria.
C. C. Igwe Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos State, Nigeria.
O. E. Taiwo Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos State, Nigeria.
O. B. Tojola Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Carbide, recovery, evaporation, sludge, technology

Abstract

Carbide sludge is the by-product of reaction between calcium carbide and water in the production of acetylene gas for welding purposes. This by-product is discarded as waste due to high content of impurities as a result of the reactants and reaction processes. In this research work an attempt was made at developing an appropriate process technology for the recovery of pure slaked lime from Nigerias automobile welders carbide sludge using solubilisation and evaporation process technology. The percentage purity of the slaked lime recovered through the process was 88%. The recovered slaked limes had pH of 11.93, were soluble in glycerol and dilute acid, insoluble in alcohol, and sparingly soluble in water. The optimum percentage yield was 78.2% at a ratio of 1:1000(w/v) of sludge to water held for 24 h at room temperature.