Calcium Carbide
Alzchem produces calcium carbide from lime, coke and electrical energy at various locations in Europe.
During production, the raw materials lime and coke are mixed and heated to over 2000 degrees Celsius. The reaction takes place using an electric arc in our low-shaft furnaces and is very energy-intensive.
In metallurgy, our customers value calcium carbide for treating alkaline slags and reducing dissolved metals. Acetylene, which is produced on contact with water, is valued for very high welding temperatures. No other hydrocarbon enables such high local welding temperatures.
Application advantages
- High potential for cost savings
- Lowest S content and high sulphur capacity of the slag
- Recovery of Cr, Mn, Si, Fe from the slag
- Improved degree of purity due to gaseous deoxidation products
Applications of calcium carbide
One of the main applications of calcium carbide is the production of acetylene gas according to the following reaction:
CaC2(s) + 2H2O(l) -> C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(s)
In addition to its use as a basic component in the chemical industry, acetylene is used as a fuel gas for cutting and welding. Acetylene is not only the hottest burning standard welding gas but also the most efficient gas, as it requires the least oxygen for combustion.
C2H2(g) + 2.5O2(g) -> 2CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Calcium carbide of the highest quality
Alzchem produces calcium carbide in very good quality with an average gas yield of 300 litres/kg calcium carbide.
The product is packed in TurnBin containers (various types) or in 100 kg steel drums. For optimum utilisation of freight space, 9 drums can be placed on a pallet and can therefore be loaded onto a truck or into a sea container to save space. Customers' own containers authorised for the transport of calcium carbide can also be filled at Alzchem or Nordic Carbide.
Dagmar Stitzl
Charlotte Wiklund
Alzchem produces calcium carbide in very good quality with an average gas yield of 300 litres/kg calcium carbide.
The calcium carbide product is sold in Alzchem's own containers or in 100 kg steel drums. Customers' own containers authorised for transport can also be filled at Alzchem and Nordic Carbide. The use of steel drums enables optimum, space-saving and transport cost-reducing shipping by lorry or sea container.
Sonja Niederschweiberer
