Calcium nitrate

Calcium Nitrate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca(NO3)2. This salt is commonly used in agriculture, waste water treatment and for cooling purposes in energy generation.

Chemical Properties

Calcium nitrate is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It is a double salt, meaning it is composed of two different ions, in this case calcium and nitrate. It is also a salt of nitric acid, and is therefore an acid salt.

Production

Calcium nitrate is produced by reacting calcium carbonate with nitric acid. This reaction produces calcium nitrate and carbon dioxide. The reaction can be represented as follows:

CaCO3 + 2HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + CO2 + H2O

Uses

Agriculture

In agriculture, calcium nitrate is used as a fertilizer. It provides two essential nutrients to plants: calcium and nitrogen. Calcium is important for cell wall structure and nitrogen is a key component of proteins and DNA.

Waste Water Treatment

Calcium nitrate is used in waste water treatment to prevent odor emissions. It does this by creating an environment that promotes the growth of bacteria that consume the odor-causing compounds.

Energy Generation

In energy generation, calcium nitrate is used as a component in the production of cold packs. When mixed with water, it absorbs heat, creating a cooling effect.

Safety

Calcium nitrate is generally safe to handle, but can cause skin and eye irritation. It is also harmful if swallowed or inhaled.

See Also

• Ammonium nitrate
• Potassium nitrate
• Sodium nitrate