Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) is an inorganic compound, marketed as 36% solution, 75-78% flakes or 94-97% granules, used for roads de-icing, dust control, brine refrigeration, dehumidification, setting time reduction in concrete, petroleum oil extraction and food processing.
Calcium chloride production process basically consists of limestone reaction with hydrochloric acid.
It can be also produced as by-product from Solvay process for soda ash and, only in the U.S., by the concentration and purification of naturally occurring brines from salt lakes and salt deposits.
Consito developed know-how and technologies for Calcium Chloride production units as 36% solution, 75-78% flakes or 94-97% granules, basing on reaction between limestone and hydrochloric acid.
Production process
Calcium chloride is produced as a product solution from reaction of calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid upon the following reaction:
Limestone is used as source of calcium carbonate.
The purification of the product is mainly accomplished by adding Ca(OH)2, in order to remove Magnesium.
The high purity of the produced carbon dioxide makes it suitable for applications within the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The 36% solution obtained with the above reaction is filtered and then stored or sent to:
- a fluid bed dryer granulator, obtaining a 94-97% product
or concentrated up to 72% and sent to:
- a flaking unit, obtaining a 75-78% product
For the production of 94-97% granules, Consito, in partnership with a well known European manufacturer, developed a special fluid bed dryer with internal heat recovery, which can be fed directly with the 36% solution coming from the neutralisation, avoiding the concentration step.
Operating data
Typical final product quality:
Referred to 94% granules
| Purity | Minimum 94% CaCl2 |
| Appearance | White free-flowing pallets, no lumps |
| Specific Gravity | 2.15 |
| Moisture | < 0.5 % w/w |
| Water Insoluble’s | < 1% w/w. These should be soluble in 15% HCl |
| Turbidity | < 50 NTU for 36% by weight solution of CaCl2 in distilled water |
| Suspended Solids | < 0.2% w/w |
| Sulphate as CaSO4 | < 0.05% w/w |
| Magnesium | < 0.4% w/w |
| Iron Content | < 0.1% w/w |
| Water Solubility | > 99% w/w |
| Pallets Size | 1mm – 4mm diameter |
| Alkali Chloride | < 6% |
| Calcium hydroxide | < 0.2% |
Typical main raw material and utility consumptions:
Referred to 1 metric ton of finished product at 94%:
| Feedstock & utilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| HCl 100% basis | kg | 650 |
| Limestone (CaCO3) | kg | 950 |
| CaCl2 | kg | 1,000 |
| CO2 | kg | 390 |
| Filter cake | kg | 55 |
| Electric power | kWh | 45 |
| Process water | kg | 80 |
| Fuel gas | kg | 130 |
| Compressed air | Nm3 | 20 |
Calcium chloride applications
Calcium chloride is a versatile chemical, so it is utilized in many industries and application areas:
- Agricultural nutrients
- Animal feed
- De-icing
- Distilleries
- Dust binding
- Chemical heating
- Concrete acceleration
- Dehumidification
- Food Processing
- Gas and solvent drying
- Mining industry
- Oil & gas drilling
- Tire weighting
