STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF LIMESTONE SAMPLES FROM THREE GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS IN NIGERIA: ASHAKA, MFAMOSING, AND NKALAGU

Abstract

The chemical properties of limestone have been the subject of several studies in recent years, highlighting its importance in various industrial applications. The present study focuses on six limestone samples from three geographical regions in Nigeria (Ashaka, Mfamosing, and Nkalagu). The analyses of their chemical composition using the Loss on Ignition Test and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry was successfully carried out. Results of the study show that CaO is the main component, comprising between 60.054 % and 78.632 % of the samples. Values of Loss of Ignition (LOI) ranged from 30.820 % to 33.280 % while SiO₂ composition ranged between 5.095 % to 12.238 %. Other oxides detected, include Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, which make up less than 1 % of the composition. Obtained values were compared to Limestone standards for various industries and findings indicate that the Ashaka, Mfamosing, and Nkalagu limestone samples are of high purity and suitable for use in various industrial fields, including the steel industry, manufacture of bleaching powder, manufacture of calcium carbide, sugar industry, textile manufacture, cement industry, agricultural practice (soil liming), and flue gas desulphurization. Thus limestone deposits from Ashaka, Mfamosing, and Nkalagu has more potential and application uses beyond cement production which they are currently used for.