Calcium Chloride

Product Description

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is a chemical compound composed of calcium and chlorine ions. Here's some key information about it:

Chemical Composition: Calcium chloride consists of calcium ions (Ca2+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

De-icing: Calcium chloride is commonly used as a de-icing agent for roads, sidewalks, and parking lots in cold climates. It lowers the freezing point of water, making it effective at melting ice and snow even at very low temperatures.

Food Additive: It's used as a food additive, particularly in the production of canned vegetables and pickles to maintain firmness and texture.

Drying Agent: Calcium chloride is employed as a desiccant or drying agent in various applications, such as drying air in industrial processes or drying moisture from gas streams.

Concrete Accelerator: In construction, calcium chloride is added to concrete mixes to accelerate the setting and hardening process, particularly in cold weather conditions.

Medicine: It's used in medicine as a source of calcium for intravenous administration to treat conditions such as hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood).

Solubility: Calcium chloride is highly soluble in water and releases heat when dissolved, making it useful for de-icing purposes, as it can generate heat and melt ice rapidly.

Safety: While calcium chloride is generally recognized as safe for its intended uses, it can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract upon direct contact or inhalation of dust. Ingestion of large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Production: Calcium chloride can be produced by various methods, including the reaction of calcium carbonate (limestone) with hydrochloric acid or the purification of brine (saltwater) sources.

Crystallization: Calcium chloride crystals are typically colorless or white and have a crystalline structure.