Preparation And Characterization Of Lime From Waste Eggshell And Its Application As Acidic Soil Ph Modifier

Abstract

In extensive parts of Ethiopia, soil acidity is one of the main factors limiting soil fertility and crop productivity. The pH of a soil solution measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. This investigator explores the use of powdered waste eggshell as a pH modifier. Eggshell contains calcium carbonate which when calcined produces quick lime (calcium oxide) which can be used as a pH modifier. In this study, dry eggshell was processed into eggshell powder and put through a 1 mm sieve. Waste eggshells were calcined for 4 hr at a temperature of 600 to 900 °C. The Xray Powder Diffraction was used to characterize crystal structure of the calcined discarded eggshells. More calcium oxide is produced by calcination at 900 °C for 4 hr. According to XRD diffraction, the calcium carbonate of the rock-forming material (CaCO3) completely transforms into the calcium oxide of the solidified concrete material (CaO) around 900 °C. The calcined product was put to the test on a sample of acidic soil with natural pH values between 5.15 and 5.26. The pH of both locations was raised to 5.98 and 6.15, respectively, by the addition of the calcined sample or calcium oxide (lime) made from leftover eggshells. The relationship between intervals and neutralization capacity is made abundantly obvious by the difference in pH readings between the third week and the first two phases. This came about as a result of the calcium and magnesium oxides deteriorating over time. The average pH meter readings after liming demonstrate unequivocally that lime made from used eggshells has the power to balance acidic soil.