Calcium chloride has the chemical formula CaCl₂ and is also called Calcium chloride anhydrous or Calcium dichloride. It is a white crystalline solid and remains solid at room temperature. It is highly water-soluble and hygroscopic by nature. Calcium chloride present in Earth’s crust as hydrates as the rare minerals sinjarite and antarctictite. Calcium chloride is also found in large deposits in natural brine from salt deposits and lakes.

Calcium chloride is an ionic compound consisting of the calcium cat-ion Ca+ and two chloride anion Cl- and manufactures in the laboratory by taking simple steps. There are two ways to produce calcium chloride one is reacting limestone with hydrochloric acid under certain conditions. Another way to manufacture calcium chloride is the Solvay process; NaCl solution reacts with limestone to get calcium chloride as an essential by-product reacting.

Calcium chloride plays a vital role in the growth and development of many industries. Because of its property to avoid ice formation; therefore, it is used to de-icing by dressing the freezing point of water. This industrial application consumes about 70-80% of the total production of calcium chloride. Another application in which calcium chloride manipulates the hygroscopic and tacky nature of its hydrates. The concentrated solution of calcium chloride has application to keep the liquid surface of dirt roads. In aquariums, calcium carbonate is present as bioavailable calcium for shelled organisms like cnidarians. Drying tubes in the laboratory, use calcium chloride as a drying agent. In addition, CaCl₂ is used to dry kelp for producing sodium carbonate. Production of activated charcoal use calcium chloride.

Calcium chloride is a hygroscopic compound hand needs to handle with safety. It is a non-corrosive and non-toxic compound, but on ingestion, it reacts with water exothermically that can cause burn in the esophagus or oral cavity. On contact with wet skin or eyes can cause severe irritation or burns.

CAS NO :- 10043-52-4

USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR CALCIUM CHLORIDE

INDUSTRIES

It is used in numerous industrial applications like: –

• Food preservative
• Food additive
• De-icing of roads
• Water treatment
• Brewing beer
• Sterling for male animals
• Heating pads
• Metallurgy
• Rubber production
• Dyeing
• Paints

… and many more.