Calcium carbide
Calcium Carbide[edit]
Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CaC2. It is a colorless solid at room temperature, although technical-grade samples can be gray or brown. Calcium carbide is primarily used in the production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide.
Production[edit]
Calcium carbide is produced industrially in an electric arc furnace from a mixture of lime and coke at approximately 2,200 °C (3,990 °F). This process was discovered by Thomas L. Willson in 1892 and is known as the Willson process.
Applications[edit]
The primary use of calcium carbide is in the production of acetylene gas. When calcium carbide is treated with water, acetylene gas is released:
- CaC2 + 2H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2
This reaction is the basis of the industrial production of acetylene, which is used as a fuel and a chemical building block. Calcium carbide is also used in the manufacture of calcium cyanamide, which is used as a fertilizer and in the production of other chemicals.
Historical Uses[edit]
Calcium carbide was once used in carbide lamps, which were widely used in mining and caving. These lamps produce a bright, white light by burning acetylene gas generated from the reaction of calcium carbide with water.
Safety and Handling[edit]
Calcium carbide reacts violently with water, releasing flammable acetylene gas. Therefore, it must be handled with care, stored in a dry environment, and kept away from moisture.
