[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of calcium chloride, what constitutes calcium chloride

Calcium chloride properties

Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is a common inorganic salt, white crystalline or powder, soluble in water, and has a strong hygroscopicity. Calcium chloride can be completely dissociated into calcium ions and chloride ions in aqueous solution, so its aqueous solution is neutral. Under high temperature conditions, calcium chloride will undergo dehydration reaction to form anhydrous calcium chloride. Calcium chloride easily absorbs moisture in the air and forms deliquescence, so special attention should be paid to its storage conditions. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, calcium chloride has been widely used in many fields.

Calcium chloride uses

Winter de-icing

Calcium chloride is a commonly used deicing agent in winter in cold regions such as North America and Europe. Its deicing effect is better than traditional sodium chloride, because calcium chloride has a lower freezing point, which can effectively reduce the freezing point of water, quickly melt the ice and snow on the road, and ensure traffic safety. Calcium chloride also has the characteristic of preventing re-freezing, which can keep the road surface free of ice for a long time.

Desiccant

Due to its strong hygroscopicity, calcium chloride is widely used as a desiccant. It can be used in the packaging of food, medicine and other products that need to be moisture-proof, absorb moisture in the environment, keep the product dry, and extend its shelf life. Calcium chloride desiccant is not only efficient, but also harmless to the environment and easy to use.

Water treatment

In the field of water treatment, calcium chloride is often used as a flocculant and a dehardening agent. As a flocculant, calcium chloride can promote the coagulation and sedimentation of suspended particles and improve the purification efficiency of water. As a dehardening agent, calcium chloride can reduce the hardness of water, prevent scaling of pipelines and equipment, and extend the service life of equipment.

Food Additives

Calcium chloride is also widely used in the food industry. As a food additive (E509), it is mainly used as a coagulant in tofu production, a hardness regulator in beer brewing, and a stabilizer in cheese production. The application of calcium chloride not only improves the quality of food, but also improves the production efficiency.

Calcium chloride upstream and downstream raw materials

Upstream raw materials

The production of calcium chloride mainly depends on limestone (the main component is calcium carbonate) and hydrochloric acid. Calcium chloride solution can be prepared by reacting limestone with hydrochloric acid, which is then concentrated by evaporation and crystallized to obtain a finished product of calcium chloride. In this process, the quality of limestone and the purity of hydrochloric acid have an important influence on the quality of the final product of calcium chloride.

Downstream Products

The downstream products of calcium chloride cover many industries, including construction, food, chemical and pharmaceutical. In the construction industry, calcium chloride is often used as a concrete accelerator to enhance the early strength of concrete. In the food industry, calcium chloride is used as a food additive and preservative. In the chemical industry, calcium chloride is used as an important raw material for the synthesis of other chemicals. In the pharmaceutical industry, calcium chloride is used in the preparation of injections, treatment of calcium deficiency, etc.

Calcium chloride storage method

Moisture-proof storage

Because calcium chloride is extremely hygroscopic, its storage environment needs to be kept dry. A container with good tightness, such as a plastic barrel or a metal barrel, should be selected, and a desiccant should be placed in the container to prevent the calcium chloride from absorbing moisture and deliquescence. Stores where calcium chloride is stored should be well ventilated to control air humidity.

Temperature control

Calcium chloride will decompose under high temperature conditions, so the storage temperature should be kept at room temperature to avoid exposure to high temperature environment. The warehouse shall have good thermal insulation facilities to prevent the influence of external high temperature on calcium chloride products.

Safety protection

Although calcium chloride is non-toxic and harmless, its powdered products are prone to dust during transportation and operation, which may cause respiratory irritation. Therefore, operators should be equipped with appropriate protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, to avoid direct contact with calcium chloride powder. Warning signs should be set to remind the staff to pay attention to protection.

Storage cycle

Calcium chloride can be stored for a long time under good storage conditions, but its hygroscopicity limits its storage period. It is recommended to regularly check the sealing of the calcium chloride package to ensure that it is dry and free of moisture. If deliquescence is found, the desiccant should be replaced or re-packaged in time to ensure product quality.

Conclusion

As an important chemical product, calcium chloride has been widely used in many fields because of its unique physical and chemical properties. Its production relies on a stable upstream supply of raw materials and is used in the food, pharmaceutical, construction and water treatment industries. In order to ensure the quality and safety of calcium chloride, strict storage measures must be taken to prevent moisture absorption and high temperature effects. In the future development, with the advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, the market prospect of calcium chloride will be broader.