Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with numerous industrial applications. When combined with water, it produces acetylene gas, which is used in welding and cutting torches. According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, calcium carbide also constitutes a key component of most polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced in China. The compound has been produced since the late 1800s by reacting lime and coal in a furnace. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that particulate matter and other byproducts enter the environment as a result of calcium carbide production, but hydrocarbon emissions from the production of calcium carbide are minimal. Making calcium carbide involves a difficult process.
- Lime
- Coal
- Electric arc furnace
- Electrode paste
- Cooling equipment
- Open-air environment
- Crushing mechanism
In an ideal reaction, 2.2 lb. lime, 1 1/2 lb. coal and 0.04 lb. electrode paste should result in a final product of 2.2 lb. calcium carbide.
Mine and refine the lime, coal and electrode paste close to the furnace to maximize efficiency.
Follow all laws and regulations pertaining to the production of chemical compounds. The temperatures involved in the production of calcium carbide mean that only professionals trained in the use of the required equipment should attempt to make calcium carbide.
Crush the solid calcium carbide in either an open-air setting or inert environment prior to it cooling completely. Failure to do so can lead to an explosion hazard.
Too many impurities in the lime and coal used to create the calcium carbide will result in impurities in the calcium carbide.
Insert lime and coal into an electric arc furnace.
Heat the electric arc furnace to a temperature of at least 3,632 degrees F. Do not allow the temperature to exceed 3,812 degrees F.
Place electrode paste near the electric arc furnace to bake.
Feed the baked electrode paste to the furnace. It will act as a catalyst for the lime and coal.
Move the resulting molten calcium carbide into cooling equipment (chilling mechanism). This will allow it to solidify.
Process the solidified calcium carbide in a crushing mechanism.until it reaches the desired size.
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About the Author
Damien Thryn holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley. Specializing in writing on video games, he has played PC games for more than 20 years and has written about many classics. He is also an avid console gamer.
Photo Credits
coal image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com