About production

The foundation of production is high-quality natural limestone, extracted from our own deposit. Having our own raw material base ensures full control over the quality of the source material and independence from external suppliers.

The raw material used is limestone with a calcite content of up to 55% (CaCO₃). The rock has a sedimentary (marine) origin and a layered structure, providing its uniformity and predictable behavior during thermal processing.

The bulk density of limestone is 2.2–2.7. The rock is soft and easily machinable, which is important for stable raw material preparation and uniform firing.

The raw material comes in various natural types, including travertine, shell rock, crystalline forms (marble), limestone tuff, and chalk. A characteristic feature of limestone is its active reaction with diluted acids, confirming the high calcium carbonate content.

The quality and uniformity of the raw material are key factors shaping the stable physicochemical parameters of the final lime.

Production of quicklime is carried out on a modern technological base using large-scale shaft kilns, which corresponds to the practices of leading global lime producers.

The shaft kilns used have a diameter of up to 6–8 meters. The daily output of each unit reaches 300–400 tons with specific heat consumption of about 6,800 kJ/kg, allowing an effective combination of high productivity and energy efficiency.

Limestone calcination is performed according to strictly controlled fractions of 40–80 mm and 80–120 mm, ensuring uniform chemical processes and minimal deviations in the characteristics of the final product.

The production process is structured as a continuous and controlled system, including several key stages.

Raw Material Preparation

The process begins with open-pit limestone extraction. After extraction, the raw material undergoes crushing, fraction sorting, and preliminary preparation. The prepared limestone is transported and fed into the calcination kiln.

Calcination in a Shaft Kiln

Calcination is carried out in a shaft kiln and includes 3 technological zones, ensuring the sequential progression of physical and chemical processes:

Preheating Zone (upper part of the kiln)

Limestone is heated by hot gases up to 900 °C. At this stage, drying and preheating of the charge occur. At temperatures of 700–800 °C, fuel gasification is completed, and in the range of 700–900 °C, the decomposition of magnesium carbonate and surface layers of calcium carbonate begins.

Calcination Zone (middle part of the kiln)

At temperatures of 850–1200 °C, the main chemical process occurs — decomposition of calcium carbonate with the release of carbon dioxide and the formation of lumpy quicklime.

Cooling Zone (lower part of the kiln)

The finished lime is cooled by air entering from below to 50–100 °C, after which it is directed to receiving tanks and prepared for further processing or shipment.

Depending on consumer requirements, TIANSHAN INDUSTRIES produces the following types of products:

• Lumpy quicklime
• Powdered (ground) quicklime
• Hydrated lime (slaked lime)
• Crushed limestone fractions 0–5 mm
• Crushed limestone fractions 0–10 mm
• Crushed limestone fractions 0–25 mm
• Crushed limestone fractions 40–50 mm

The products are used in construction, metallurgy, industrial production, as well as in other sectors where stable quality and predictable technological properties are required.

Product quality is controlled at all stages — from raw material extraction to the shipment of finished products. Lime undergoes mandatory laboratory testing and complies with GOST 9179-2018 standards.