The spelling of "limekiln" may seem unusual to some, but it follows regular English spelling patterns. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be /laɪm.kɪln/. The word is spelled with "lime" to indicate its purpose as a kiln for burning limestone, commonly used in the production of cement. The "k" in "kiln" is added to represent the hard "c" sound, which is a common feature in English spelling. While the word may not be encountered often in everyday usage, its spelling is consistent with other English vocabulary.
A limekiln is a noun that refers to a structure used for the manufacturing of lime, a white powdery substance made from limestone. It can also be described as a kiln specifically designed for the calcination of limestone, a process by which it is heated to a high temperature to remove water and carbon dioxide, resulting in the formation of lime.
Typically made of brick or stone, a limekiln consists of a large, vertical cylindrical chamber with an opening at the top where limestone is shoveled into. The chamber is equipped with one or more small openings near the base where fuel, traditionally wood or coal, is inserted and ignited. As the fuel burns, the intense heat rises, steadily radiating through the chamber and causing the limestone to undergo calcination. During this process, the limestone breaks down, releasing carbon dioxide and leaving behind quicklime, also known as calcium oxide.
Limekilns have been utilized for centuries in various industries, such as construction, agriculture, and chemical manufacturing, due to the versatile properties of lime. Quicklime is widely used as a building material, a fertilizer, an ingredient in mortar and cement, a soil stabilizer, and even as a pH adjuster in wastewater treatment. The lime produced in a limekiln is highly valued for its ability to provide strength, durability, and alkalinity to a wide range of applications.
A place for burning limestone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "limekiln" is composed of two parts - "lime" and "kiln".
The term "lime" comes from the Old English word "līm", which originally referred to a sticky substance obtained from limestone or chalk. The Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*līmaz", which meant "sticky substance" or "birdlime".
The word "kiln" comes from the Middle English word "kilne", which was derived from the Old English word "cyln", meaning "oven" or "furnace". The Old English word likely originated from the Latin word "colonus", which referred to a stove or oven.
When combined, "limekiln" refers to an oven or furnace used for heating limestone to produce quicklime. The term has been in use since the medieval period and has remained relatively unchanged in its meaning and form.