Calcium hypochlorite
Chemical compound used for water treatment and as a bleaching agent
Calcium hypochlorite[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is an inorganic compound with the formula Ca(OCl)_. It is commonly used for water treatment and as a bleaching agent. This compound is relatively stable and has greater available chlorine than sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach). It is a white solid, although commercial samples appear yellow. It strongly smells of chlorine, owing to its slow decomposition in moist air.
Chemical properties[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is a calcium salt of hypochlorous acid. It is a strong oxidizing agent and reacts with organic materials and reducing agents. The compound is typically sold as a white powder, granules, or tablets. It is soluble in water, where it forms a basic solution.
Production[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is produced by treating lime (Ca(OH)_) with chlorine gas. The reaction can be represented as:
- 2 Cl_ + 2 Ca(OH)_ _ Ca(OCl)_ + CaCl_ + 2 H_O
This process yields a mixture of calcium hypochlorite, calcium chloride, and water.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is widely used for water treatment, especially for disinfecting drinking water and swimming pools. It is also used in the bleaching of textiles and paper. In water treatment, it is used to kill bacteria and other pathogens, making water safe for consumption.
Water treatment[edit | edit source]
In water treatment, calcium hypochlorite is used to disinfect water by releasing chlorine, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms. It is often used in swimming pools to maintain sanitary conditions.
Bleaching agent[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching agent in the textile and paper industries. It is effective in removing stains and whitening fabrics and paper products.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Calcium hypochlorite is a strong oxidizer and can react violently with organic materials and reducing agents. It should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from any flammable materials. Proper handling and storage are essential to prevent accidents.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
