Analysis of Optimum Temperature and Calcination Time in the Production of CaO Using Seashells Waste as CaCO3 Source

Seashells waste is abundant in coastal area, especially in the locations where fisheries are a major occupation. This abundant resource of seashells opens a new opportunity further utilization. Seashells waste is a source of CaCO3, which may be converted into CaO via the calcination process. This study analyzed the characteristics of the CaO produced via calcination process at different temperature and calcination time. The calcination process was carried out at a temperature of 800°C, 900°C, and 1000°C with variation of 2, 3, and 4 hours in time. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) result showed that the spectrum of 2513 cm-1 as an indication of the C-H group containing CaO appearing after calcination. The FTIR results suggest that the calcination time did not gave major alteration to the functional groups. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that CaO laid at the angle of 58.1° and 64.6°. Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) results showed that the most significant compositional outcome after the calcination process was Ca and O at all temperatures and calcination times. All calcined seashells showed rough surface and irregular shape particles. The result of a Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) suggested that the highest mass alteration occurred at a temperature of 800°C with 78 mins of calcination time.