Kalkinert

Kalkinert is a term used in geology and construction to describe a material that has undergone calcination, a thermal treatment in which carbonate minerals decompose to oxides and release carbon dioxide. In common usage, kalkinert refers most often to calcium carbonate–containing rocks such as limestone or marble that have been heated to high temperatures, typically around 900 to 1000°C, in a lime kiln. The primary chemical reaction is CaCO3 → CaO + CO2, producing quicklime (calcium oxide).

Quicklime is highly reactive with water; when it is slaked, it forms calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime), which is used as a binding agent in lime mortars, as well as in soil stabilization and water treatment. Dolomitic limestone yields dolomitic lime (a mix of CaO and MgO) upon calcination. Calcination is endothermic and requires substantial energy input, with emissions of CO2 from both the carbonate decomposition and energy use. The calcined product can be further processed, ground into powder for cement production, or hydrated to form lime putty or hydrated lime for various industrial applications. The term kalkinert is widely used in Norwegian and related languages and corresponds to the English term calcined.