Calcium carbide: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:23, 21 February 2025

Chemical compound

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.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Chemical compound used in industry and agriculture}}
+{{short description|Chemical compound}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 ==Calcium Carbide==
-[[File:Calcium carbide.jpg|thumb|right|Calcium carbide in its raw form]]
+[[File:Calcium_carbide_formula.png|thumb|right|Chemical formula of calcium carbide]]
-'''Calcium carbide''' is a chemical compound with the chemical formula '''CaC_'''. It is a colorless solid at room temperature, although it is often encountered as a gray or brown powder due to impurities. Calcium carbide is primarily used in the production of [[acetylene]] gas and in the manufacture of [[calcium cyanamide]].
+'''Calcium carbide''' is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CaC<sub>2</sub>. 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]].
-==Chemical Properties==
+==Production==
-Calcium carbide is a compound of [[calcium]] and [[carbon]]. It is produced industrially in an electric arc furnace from a mixture of lime (CaO) and [[coke]] at approximately 2,200 °C (3,990 °F). The reaction is as follows:
+Calcium carbide is produced industrially in an [[electric arc furnace]] from a mixture of [[lime (material)|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.
-:CaO + 3C _ CaC_ + CO
+==Applications==
+[[File:Karbid_vápenatý.JPG|thumb|left|Technical-grade calcium carbide]]
+The primary use of calcium carbide is in the production of acetylene gas. When calcium carbide is treated with water, acetylene gas is released:
-The resulting calcium carbide is then cooled and ground into a powder. When calcium carbide comes into contact with water, it reacts to produce acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide:
+: CaC<sub>2</sub> + 2H<sub>2</sub>O → C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub> + Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub>
-:CaC_ + 2H_O _ C_H_ + Ca(OH)_
+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.
-This reaction is highly exothermic and is the basis for its use in acetylene production.
+==Historical Uses==
+Calcium carbide was once used in [[carbide lamp]]s, 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.
-==Uses==
+[[File:Carbide_lamp_lit.jpg|thumb|right|A lit carbide lamp]]
-[[File:Acetylene lamp.jpg|thumb|left|A miner's lamp using acetylene gas]]
-The primary use of calcium carbide is in the production of acetylene gas, which is used as a fuel and a chemical building block. Acetylene is used in [[welding]] and cutting metals, as well as in the synthesis of various organic chemicals.
-Calcium carbide is also used in the manufacture of calcium cyanamide, a fertilizer and herbicide. The reaction with nitrogen gas produces calcium cyanamide:
-:CaC_ + N_ _ CaCN_ + C
-In addition, calcium carbide is used in the desulfurization of iron and steel, as it can remove sulfur impurities from molten metal.
 ==Safety and Handling==
-Calcium carbide is a hazardous material and must be handled with care. It reacts violently with water, releasing flammable acetylene gas, which can form explosive mixtures with air. Proper storage and handling procedures must be followed to prevent accidental contact with moisture.
+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.
-==Historical Context==
-Calcium carbide was first discovered in 1836 by the German chemist Friedrich Wöhler. Its industrial production began in the late 19th century, and it played a significant role in the development of the acetylene industry. The use of acetylene lamps was widespread in the early 20th century, particularly in mining and caving.
-==Related Pages==
+==Related pages==
 * [[Acetylene]]
 * [[Calcium cyanamide]]
 * [[Electric arc furnace]]
-* [[Desulfurization]]
+* [[Carbide lamp]]
 [[Category:Calcium compounds]]
 [[Category:Carbides]]
 [[Category:Industrial gases]]