Hydrated Lime is used in various construction applications.  Some of the most popular applications are:

• Hot Mix Asphalt
• Cold In-place Recycling
• Soil Stabilization
• Aggregate Modification

Hot Mix Asphalt

In preparation of hot mix asphalt, hydrated lime is added primarily as an anti-stripping agent.  More and more states are now requiring the addition of lime to reduce the effects of moisture on pavements.  Pre-treating aggregates with lime helps asphalt cement to adhere to the aggregate.

Although most hot mix producers are presently using dry hydrated lime, there are a number of advantages of using hydrated lime slurry made from quicklime.  The Lime-Save process has important handling characteristics that improve the process.  These are:

• Can save as much as 25% of material costs due to the conversion of quicklime into hydrated lime because of dry hydrate contains about 25% water.
• Quicklime is normally cheaper per ton than dry hydrated lime.
• Hydrated lime slurry is more reactive due to smaller particle size than dry hydrate saving an additional 10% to 20% in materials costs.
• The low viscosity characteristics of lime slurry using the Process make it easy to pump through mass flow metering systems improving the accuracy of lime addition.
• The lime slurry can be pumped continuously without the problems of storing and feeding a dry product.
• Since lime slurry is added in a wet condition, no additional moisture needs to be added resulting in saving of burner fuel.  In addition, the wet condition means less wasted product through bag houses.
• The batch method insures accurate proportioning of water and quicklime.

Cold In-place Recycling 

Hydrated lime slurry from quicklime is the common method of adding lime to Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP).  Adding lime to RAP has become more popular as it helps reduce stripping and improves strength of pavements.

The Lime-Save process can improve existing processes in the following ways:

• Low viscosity allows for smaller pumping equipment.
• Low viscosity allows for easier removal of oversized grit and reduces plugging of nozzles.
• Low viscosity reduces scaling inside of tanks and service lines and reduces cleanout costs of slaking and transporting equipment.
• High solids content means a higher concentration of lime can be hauled per load increasing cycle times of hauling equipment and reducing fuel costs.

• Low viscosity allows for smaller pumping equipment.
• Low viscosity reduces scaling inside of tanks and service lines and reduces cleanout costs of slaking and transporting equipment.
• High solids content means a higher concentration of lime can be hauled per load increasing cycle times of hauling equipment and reducing fuel costs. 

Aggregate Modification

As quality aggregates become scarce, it is sometimes necessary to add lime to base course aggregates to lower the plasticity index (PI).  Most existing methods use dry quicklime to production conveyors during stockpiling to accomplish PI reduction. 

The Lime-Save process can improve quality control of adding lime to aggregates.  In applying the process, it is important to delay the addition of the lime slurry until just before the product is loaded out to be placed on projects.  The reason for this is that stockpile pressures combined with the high reactivity of wet lime slurry causes structures to be built prematurely between the aggregate particles resulting in loading problems.

The benefits of using Lime-Save are:

• Greater control over adding the desired amount of lime due to low viscosity and the ability to use precise liquid metering equipment resulting in improved quality control and reduction of wasted quicklime.
• Using a liquid, increases the ability to coat aggregate particles and reduces the need for moisture to be added on the project site.