PO 41: Describe how purity, fineness, and Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) affect the neutralizing ability of liming materials.

Effective Neutralizing Value (ENV) or Effective CEE (ECCE) allows comparison of different liming materials, determined by the CCE x particle size distribution expressed as fineness.  Limestones react at rates proportional to the surface area of the particles, and the surface area of the particles is related to the size of the lime particle.  The CCE portion of the lime will react.

  • 100% of lime that passes 100 mesh screen will react in 1 year
  • 80% of lime that passes 60 but is held on 100 mesh will react in 1 year
  • 40% of lime that passes 20 but is held on 60 mesh will react in 1 year

To determine the ENV:

  1. Subtract the % passing 60 mesh from the % passing 20 mesh, multiply by 0.40
  2. Subtract the % passing 100 mesh from the % passing 60 mesh, multiply by 0.80
  3. Multiply the % passing 100 mesh by 1.00
  4. Add the above three numbers to obtain the fineness factor (should be less than 100)
  5. Multiply the above number by the CCE in decimal form to get the ENV
  6. The ENV should be between about 30 and 100 for pulverized limestones sold in NY

 

Example:

sample picture 17.JPG

sample picture 18.JPG  

The cost per ton of 100% ENV represents the cost for the quantity of material that will react with the soil in the first year, and allows cost comparison with other liming materials.

Soil test recommendations are based on limestone quality.  Therefore, the recommendation must be adjusted for the quality of the limestone to be used.  PA guidelines are based on CCE and fineness; NY guidelines are based on ENV.

 


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