Evaluation of Lime from Shiranish and Anah Formations in Iron Refining from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Aveen Ali Mahmood Surdashy; Ahmed M.  Aqrawi; Irfan Sh.  Asaad; Kaiwan K.  Fatah

Article Details

Evaluation of Lime from Shiranish and Anah Formations in Iron Refining from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Authors:

Aveen Ali Mahmood Surdashy | Ahmed M. Aqrawi | Irfan Sh. Asaad | Kaiwan K. Fatah

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.71-83

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837023

pISSN:

2663-8754

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The lime industry and steel refining are key consumers for the construction and environmental fields in developed countries. An optimal calcination process for high-calcium limestones is developed to achieve better economic and metallurgical outcomes. For this purpose, limestones from the Anah Formation in the South Qarachugh anticline, Shiranish Formation in Harir, and Shakrok anticlines are being selected due to their high CaO content, low MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, S, P, and other impurities, which were tested by using X-Ray Fluorescence. These limestone samples were calcined at 1000°C to obtain lime, and the lime's reactivity was measured using HCl and Methyl orange tests, yielding optimal results. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the lime particles, porosity, and their distribution within the Shiranish Formation in the Harir and Shakrok anticlines are supportive of direct application in the iron refining method. In contrast, lime derived from the Anah Formation exhibited more rounded particles and lower porosity, indicative of a different depositional system. The economic evaluation of lime from the Shiranish Formation in the Harir and Shakrok anticline deposits across iron refining demonstrated that the lime from Harir anticline has higher productivity, supporting operations for approximately 124 years, compared to only 15 years for the lime in Shakrok anticline. Although the total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per unit of lime were found to be equal for both deposits, the lime itself can be reused for capturing CO₂ during the calcining process. Through the formation of calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH)₂], enhancing the environmental sustainability during the calcining process.

Article Details

Evaluation of Lime from Shiranish and Anah Formations in Iron Refining from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Authors:

Aveen Ali Mahmood Surdashy | Ahmed M. Aqrawi | Irfan Sh. Asaad | Kaiwan K. Fatah

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.71-83

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837023

pISSN:

2663-8754

Steel refining

Lime

SEM

X-ray Fluorescence

Calcination

Issues

Article Details

Evaluation of Lime from Shiranish and Anah Formations in Iron Refining from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Authors: Aveen Ali Mahmood Surdashy | Ahmed M. Aqrawi | Irfan Sh. Asaad | Kaiwan K. Fatah

Publisher: Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal: The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.71-83

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 5/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001837023

pISSN: 2663-8754

Steel refining

Lime

SEM

X-ray Fluorescence

Calcination

Issues

Authors:

Aveen Ali Mahmood Surdashy | Ahmed M. Aqrawi | Irfan Sh. Asaad | Kaiwan K. Fatah

Publisher:

Iraqi Geologists Union (Union of Iraqi Geologists)

Journal:

The Iraqi Geological Journal Vol.59 Issue 1E, pp.71-83

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

5/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001837023

pISSN:

2663-8754