Experimental investigations of preparation of calcite particles by ultrasonic treatment

This paper investigates breakage of calcite powder (d(50) = 25.23 mu m) to fine particle sizes using an ultrasonic generator (400 W, 24 kHz). The present study focuses on comminution of calcite powder in water media by ultrasonic treatment and the effect of some operational parameters such as treatment time (5-30 min), ultrasonic power (30-100% as amplitude), solid ratio (5-30% w/w), probe positions (0.5-2 cm) and cycle on the product size. Experimental results were evaluated on the basis of average particle size (d(50)). Sonication of calcite produced a drastic particle-size reduction (d(50)= 12.89 mu m) under optimal conditions.