The Influence of Temperature and Gas Flow Rate on the Formation CaCO3 Vaterite Phase

Abstract

CaCO3 powder is much needed in the industry. CaCO3 vaterite phase is widely used as raw material in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. PCC can be synthesized from natural limestone. Indonesia has abundant limestone reserves and has a very high purity1. In this study, the synthesis of CaCO3 powder was carried out at 29 °C and 40 °C by carbonation method without and by using gas bubble breakers. Characterization of CaCO3 with SEM and XRD shows the formation of calcite and vaterite phases. The formation of the vaterite phase CaCO3 is very sensitive in the changes of temperature and CO2 gas flow rate. The formation of a vaterite phase without a gas bubble breaker is increased linearly. In contrast to the gas bubble breaker the formation of vaterite is saturated after a CO2 gas flow rate of 2.3 lt/min.