Modeling of calcination of single kaolinitic clay particle

The present work aims at modeling of the calcination (dehydroxylation) process of clay particles, specifically kaolinite, and its thermal transformation. For such purpose, 1D single particle calcination model was developed based on the concept of shrinking core model to assess the dehydroxylation process with special emphasis given to the heat and mass transfer phenomena on the particle surface, heat conduction from surface to reaction front, chemical kinetics at reaction front and diffusion of the water through the product layer. The mathematical model is used to predict the transient temperature distribution within the clay particle and simultaneous density changes due to the reaction kinetics. Accordingly, a particular residence time was noticed as a point where kaolinitic clay particles attain optimum conversion to metakaolinite which is pozzolanic.