Uses of Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride is a chemical compound made up of two elements, calcium and chloride. Its chemical formula is CaCl₂. Calcium chloride is traditionally prepared by dissolving marble chips or limestone chips in hydrochloric acid. Although, it can be easily produced from limestone for commercial purposes, it is made from residues of the ammonia-soda process. It is essential to avoid skin contact with calcium chloride, as it can cause skin irritation.

Uses of Calcium Chloride

Calcium Chloride is commonly sold as a white crystalline substance that comes in, either a powdered form or a granular form. Calcium chloride has a salty taste and is the main ingredient in many types of food items including snacks. It is also found in beverages and sport drinks.

Calcium chloride prevents spoilage of food and is popularly used as a preservative in packed foods. It also helps to keep the food healthy and fresh for a longer duration. As pasteurized milk greatly diminishes calcium content, calcium chloride is added in small amounts to aid coagulation and form quality curd. Calcium chloride is also an important cheese making additive. The water solution of calcium chloride is used in refrigerators. The solution is an essential cooling agent for making ice.

Calcium chloride remains in solid state at room temperature. It readily dissolves in water and ethanol at a very low temperature. As it is hygroscopic (capable of absorbing moisture), calcium chloride is always stored in air-tight (sealed) containers. Because of its strong affinity for atmospheric moisture, this chemical compound forms a liquid solution if exposed to oxygen. It can be used to dry other organic liquids; hence, it is sometimes also called a drying agent.

Calcium chloride helps in lowering the freezing or melting point of water. Calcium chloride melts ice faster than any other chemical compound and that is why in extremely cold conditions, the highway department applies it in a powder form on the roads and sidewalks. It is also widely used as an additive in the paper making industry and in the manufacturing of dyes. Calcium chloride is also often used as a dehydrating agent in the petrochemical industry, due to its ability to deprive a chemical compound of its water content.

Being strongly hygroscopic, a layer of calcium chloride is applied on roads and in mines to minimize dust problems. Calcium chloride is often added to concrete mixes as it has been proved that concrete containing it hardens rapidly, thus reducing the time of setting. This chemical compound also provides greater concrete strength. Unlike other chemical compounds, it does not damage the concrete. Calcium chloride is exothermic (heat producing). When added in liquids to remove dissolved water, a huge amount of heat is released and the temperature can rise up to 60 degree Celsius. This property is often used to start the heating process required for industrial purposes.

The unique properties of calcium chloride such as the ability to attract moisture from air, quick dissolving and exothermic qualities have indeed made it a popular industrial chemical.