·
Linear Formula CaCl2
·
Molecular Weight 110.98
Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound, a salt with the chemical
formula CaCl2. It is a colorless crystalline
solid at room temperature, highly soluble in water.
Detailed d
Calcium
chloride is commonly encountered as a hydrated solid with
generic formula CaCl2(H2O)x, where x = 0, 1,
2, 4, and 6. These compounds are mainly used for deicing and dust control.
Because the anhydrous salt is hygroscopic, it is used as
a desiccant.
Uses
Deicing and freezing point depression
By depressing the
freezing point of water, calcium
chloride is used to prevent ice formation and is used to deice. This application consumes the greatest amount of
calcium chloride. Calcium chloride is relatively harmless to plants and soil.
As a deicing agent, it is more effective at lower temperatures than sodium
chloride. When distributed for this use, it usually takes the form of small,
white spheres a few millimeters in diameter, called prills. Solutions of calcium chloride can prevent freezing
at temperature as low as −52 °C (−62 °F), making it ideal for filling
agricultural implement tires as a liquid ballast, aiding traction in cold
climates.
Also used in salt/chemical-based dehumidifiers in domestic and
other environments to adsorb dampness/moisture from the air.
Road surfacing
The second largest application of calcium chloride
exploits its hygroscopic properties and the
tackiness of its hydrates. A concentrated solution keeps a liquid layer on the
surface of dirt roads, which suppresses
formation of dust. It keeps the finer dust particles on the road, providing a
cushioning layer. If these are allowed to blow away, the larger aggregate
begins to shift around and the road breaks down. Using calcium chloride reduces
the need for grading by as much as 50%
and the need for fill-in materials as much as 80%[12]
Water treatment
Calcium chloride is used to increase the water hardness in swimming pools.
This process reduces the erosion of the concrete in the pool. By Le Chatelier's
principle and the common ion effect, increasing the
concentration of calcium in the water will reduce the dissolution of calcium
compounds essential to the structure of concrete.
Food
As an ingredient, it is listed as a permitted food
additive in the European Union for use as a sequestrant and firming agent with the E number E509. It is
considered as generally recognized
as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.[13] Its use in organic crop production is generally
prohibited under US National Organic
Program's National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances.[14] The average intake
of calcium chloride as food additives has been estimated to be
160–345 mg/day for individuals.[15] In marine aquariums, calcium chloride
is added to introduce bioavailable calcium for calcium
carbonate-shelled animals such as mollusks and some cnidarians. Calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser mix) or
a calcium reactor can also be used to
introduce calcium; however, calcium chloride addition is the fastest method and
has minimal impact on pH.
As a firming agent, calcium chloride
is used in canned vegetables, in firming soybean curds into tofu and in producing a caviarsubstitute from vegetable or fruit juices.[16] It is commonly used
as an electrolyte in sports drinks and
other beverages, including bottled water. The extremely salty taste of calcium
chloride is used to flavor pickles while not increasing
the food's sodium content. Calcium
chloride's freezing-point depression properties are used to slow the freezing
of the caramel in caramel-filled chocolate bars.
In brewing beer, calcium
chloride is sometimes used to correct mineral deficiencies in the brewing
water. It affects flavor and chemical reactions during the brewing process, and
can also affect yeast function during fermentation.
In cheesemaking, calcium chloride
is sometimes added to processed (pasteurized/homogenized) milk to restore the
natural balance between calcium and protein in casein for the purposes of
making cheeses, such as brie, Pélardon and Stilton. By adding calcium
chloride to the milk before adding the coagulant, calcium levels are restored.
Also, it is frequently added to sliced apples to maintain texture.
Laboratory and related drying operations
Drying tubes are frequently
packed with calcium chloride. Kelp is dried with
calcium chloride for use in producing sodium carbonate. Anhydrous calcium
chloride has been approved by the FDA as a packaging aid to ensure dryness (CPG
7117.02).
Medicine
It is injected to treat internal hydrofluoric acid
burns. It can be used to treat magnesium intoxication. Calcium chloride
injection may antagonize cardiac toxicity as measured by electrocardiogram. It can help to
protect the myocardium from dangerously high levels of serum potassium in hyperkalemia. Calcium chloride
can be used to quickly treat calcium channel blocker toxicity, from the side
effects of drugs such as diltiazem.[18]
Cardiac arrest
While intravenous calcium has been used in cardiac arrest its general use is
not recommended.[19] Cases of cardiac
arrest in which it is still recommended include high blood potassium, low blood calcium such as may occur
following blood transfusions, and calcium channel
blocker overdose.[19] There is the
potential that general use could worsen outcomes.[19] If calcium is used
calcium chloride is generally the recommended form.[19]
Science
Aqueous calcium chloride is used in genetic transformation of cells by
increasing the cell membrane permeability, inducing competence for DNA uptake
(allowing DNA fragments to enter the cell more readily).
Miscellaneous applications
Calcium chloride is used in concrete mixes to accelerate (speed up) the
initial setting, but chloride ions lead to corrosion of steel rebar, so it should not be used in reinforced concrete.[20] The anhydrous form
of calcium chloride may also be used for this purpose and can provide a measure
of the moisture in concrete.[21]
Calcium chloride is included as an additive in
plastics and in fire extinguishers, in wastewater
treatment as a drainage aid, in blast furnaces as an additive to
control scaffolding (clumping and adhesion of materials that prevent the
furnace charge from descending), and in fabric softener as a thinner.
In the oil industry, calcium chloride is used to
increase the density of solids-free brines. It is also used to provide
inhibition of swelling clays in the water phase of invert emulsion drilling
fluids.
CaCl2 acts
as flux material (decreasing melting point) in the Davy process for the
industrial production of sodium metal, through the electrolysis of molten NaCl.
Similarly, CaCl2 is used as a flux and electrolyte in the FFC Cambridge process for titanium production, where it
ensures the proper exchange of calcium and oxygen ions between the electrodes.
Calcium chloride is also an ingredient used in
ceramic slipware. It suspends clay particles so that they float within the
solution making it easier to use in a variety of slipcasting techniques.
Animal sterilization
Calcium chloride dihydrate (20% by weight) dissolved
in ethanol (95% ABV) has been
used as a sterilant for male animals.
The non surgical procedure consists of the injection of the solution into the
testes of the animal. Within 1 month, necrosis of testicular tissue results in
sterilization.
Hazards
Calcium chloride can act as an irritant by desiccating moist
skin. Solid calcium chloride dissolves exothermically, and burns can result in the mouth and esophagus if it is ingested.
Ingestion of concentrated solutions or solid products may cause
gastrointestinal irritation or ulceration.
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