Calcium chloride is a popular and versatile chemical compound that classifies as a salt. At room temperature, it is colourless and highly soluble in water. It has many practical applications, from food preservation to de-icing and cooling. Using calcium chloride in foods helps to absorb any moisture that would create an environment where bacteria would thrive. It is also used both pre-and post-harvest to maintain firmness, reduce decay, and prevent certain diseases in fruits and vegetables with such a widely applicable benefit as a drying agent, calcium chloride is used in a number of applications.
How is Calcium Chloride made?
Calcium chloride is a compound formed between calcium and chlorine. It is a white solid at room temperature and is highly soluble in water. When dissolved in water, it creates an electrolyte solution that Conducts electricity well.
The Solvay process is the most common way to produce calcium chloride. In much of the world, calcium chloride is derived from limestone as a by-product of the Solvay process. Calcium chloride can also be obtained from brine purification. Brine (salt water) is mixed with limestone and soda ash in this process. The resulting chemical reaction produces calcium chloride, sodium carbonate, and water.
Calcium Chloride Applications
Calcium Chloride in Swimming Pools
Calcium chloride is commonly used for several things, but one of its most popular uses is in swimming pools. When added to water, it can help to raise the overall pH level, making it more alkaline. This can benefit swimmers since it makes the water feel softer and helps reduce eye irritation.
Calcium Chloride as de-icing
Another common use of calcium chloride is as a de-icer or anti-icer on roads and sidewalks. It melts ice quickly and prevents it from forming, making it ideal for areas that experience a lot of winter weather.
Calcium Chloride in Sports Drinks
Calcium chloride is an active ingredient in most sports drinks designed to replace electrolytes lost during strenuous exercise. It is also used to maintain fluid balance in the body and to prevent cramping. In addition, calcium chloride is sometimes added to sports drinks to improve their taste.
Other common Uses of Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is commonly used as a firming agent in food products such as tofu, baked goods, and processed cheese. It is also a food preservative and has many other applications in the food industry.
In addition to its use in food, calcium chloride is used in several industrial and commercial applications, such as dust control and oil well drilling. In water treatment, calcium chloride is often used as a coagulant to remove impurities such as dirt and clay particles. It can also be used to remove excess fluoride from drinking water.
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