Thermodynamic analysis of the thermal decomposition of dolomite

Abstract

The role of CaCO₃–MgCO₃ solid solutions in the decomposition of dolomite is discussed in terms of an asymmetrical function of their free energy of mixing. The results are in fairly close agreement with experimental phase diagrams. The thermodynamic analysis is used to describe the behaviour of the CaO–MgO–CO₂ ternary system and to gain a better understanding of the different reaction mechanisms proposed for the decomposition of dolomite.