Utilization of distiller waste and residual mother liquor to prepare precipitated calcium carbonate

The purpose of this research is to examine the utilization of basic waste of soda ash industry: distiller waste. The aim of the process described is to obtain spherical ultrafine calcium carbonate by means of calcium ions contained in distiller waste liquid. Another raw material is residual mother liquor, a filtration liquid which is created after the process of carbonization and filtration in the Solvay towers. The process of calcium carbonate precipitation is based on calcium ions contained in distiller waste liquid and carbonate ions contained in residual mother liquor. (NH4)(2)CO3 + CaCl2 -> CaCO3 down arrow + 2NH(4)Cl Results of research have shown that the production of spherical ultrafine calcium carbonate based on soda ash waste materials is possible. The new products achieve the standards necessary for filler of rubber, paint and pigment industries. The additional advantage of the described method is not only obtaining spherical ultrafine calcium carbonate precipitation, but also reducing waste dangerous for the natural environment: distiller waste and caustic sludges. Soda ash factories may also benefit from the introduction of the technology (sale of spherical ultrafine calcium carbonate, release from environment pollution fees). (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.