- 2081 Chaitra (new course) · 2 marks
Storage and handling of fat lime
Short answer
Store quicklime in dry airtight sheds, use promptly to prevent air-slaking. Slaked lime is kept in covered pits with sand or water layer. Handle with gloves, goggles and mask; quicklime is caustic and reacts with moisture. Keep away from flammables.
Explain in brief about the storage and handling of fat lime.
Fat lime reacts with moisture and CO₂ in the air, so it must be stored and handled with care.
- Quick lime: store in a dry, airtight shed with a raised, waterproof floor, away from water and rain. Use as soon as possible, because it air-slakes.
- Slaked lime: keep in covered pits or tanks and cover with a layer of sand or water to prevent carbonation. It improves with ageing in the pit for a few weeks.
- Handling: use gloves, goggles and a mask. Quicklime is caustic and generates heat with water, so protect skin, eyes and lungs. Keep it away from flammable material.
- Do not mix different lime batches, and transport in bags or covered vehicles.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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