What Is Calcium Chloride Commonly Used For?

Introduction

Calcium chloride is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CaCl2. It is a salt that is often used in various applications, such as de-icing, food preservation, and water treatment. In this article, we will discuss the common uses of calcium chloride and its properties.

Properties of Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water. It has a melting point of 782°C and a boiling point of 1,935°C. The density of calcium chloride is 2.15 g/cm³. It is highly hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air and can dissolve in its own water of crystallization.

Calcium chloride has an exothermic reaction when it comes into contact with water, which means that it releases heat. This property makes it useful in certain applications, such as heating pads and hand warmers.

Common Uses of Calcium Chloride

There are several common uses of calcium chloride, which are discussed below.

De-Icing

One of the most common uses of calcium chloride is for de-icing roads and sidewalks. When calcium chloride is spread on icy surfaces, it melts the ice and prevents it from re-freezing. This is because calcium chloride releases heat when it comes into contact with water, which helps to raise the temperature of the ice and melt it.

Another advantage of calcium chloride as a de-icing agent is that it is effective at very low temperatures, down to -40°C. This makes it a popular choice for winter maintenance in areas with extremely cold climates.

Food Preservation

Calcium chloride is also commonly used in food preservation. It acts as a firming agent and a preservative in a variety of foods, including canned vegetables, fruits, and pickles. Calcium chloride can also be used to enhance the texture of certain foods, such as cheese and soy products.

In addition, calcium chloride is used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in food. It does this by creating an environment that is unfavorable for their growth. This property makes calcium chloride an important ingredient in the production of processed foods.

Water Treatment

Another common use of calcium chloride is in water treatment. It is often added to swimming pools and hot tubs to increase the hardness of the water. Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. By increasing the hardness of the water, calcium chloride helps to prevent the corrosion of metal pipes and equipment.

Calcium chloride is also used to remove impurities from water. It can be used to remove fluoride, nitrates, and metal ions from drinking water. This makes it a popular choice for water treatment plants and industrial processes that require high-quality water.

Construction

Calcium chloride is also used in the construction industry. It is added to concrete to accelerate the setting time and increase its strength. This is because when calcium chloride is added to concrete, it produces heat, which helps the concrete to cure more quickly.

In addition, calcium chloride is used to prevent the freezing of concrete during cold weather. This is important because if concrete freezes before it has set, it can become brittle and lose its strength.

Other Uses

Calcium chloride has several other uses as well. It is used in the production of paper and textiles, as well as in the oil and gas industry to remove contaminants from drilling fluids. Calcium chloride is also used in the production of adhesives, paints, and pigments.

Precautions

Although calcium chloride has many useful properties, it is important to handle it with care. Calcium chloride can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. It can cause irritation, burns, and even frostbite. It is important to wear protective gloves and goggles when handling calcium chloride.

In addition, calcium chloride can be harmful if ingested. It can cause gastrointestinal irritation and burns. It is important to keep calcium chloride out of reach of children and pets.

Conclusion

Calcium chloride is a versatile compound that has many useful properties. It is commonly used for de-icing, food preservation, water treatment, and construction. However, it is important to handle calcium chloride with care and take precautions to avoid skin and eye contact, as well as ingestion.