Calcination is a precise thermal treatment process applied to solid chemical compounds, such as carbonate ores. The material is heated to high temperatures, but crucially, the process is conducted without melting the substance. Furthermore, it requires a restricted supply of oxygen to ensure the desired chemical changes occur.
The primary objectives of calcination are to remove volatile substances or impurities and to trigger thermal decomposition. This process is a fundamental step in various industrial applications, including the production of lime from limestone, where it is used to drive off carbon dioxide.