Calcium hydroxide

Description

Calcium Hydroxide is a colorless crystal or white powder, obtained when CaO (called lime or quicklime) is mixed, or “slaked” with water. It can also be precipitated by mixing CaCl2 andNaOH.The nameof the natural,mineral formis “portlandite”. It is a relatively rare mineral, known from some volcanic, plutonic, and metamorphic rocks. It has also been known to be formed in burning coal dumps.

Chemical properties

Calcium hydroxide is a white powder. Chemical formula Ca(OH)2, commonly known as slaked limes and hydrated lime. Slightly soluble in water, calcium hydroxide in alkali has continuity and is a strong base.

Chemical properties

Calcium hydroxide occurs as a white or almost white, crystalline or granular powder. It has a bitter, alkaline taste. Calcium hydroxide readily absorbs carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate.

Physical properties

Soft white crystalline powder; hexagonal; density 2.34 g/cm³; slightly bitter taste; loses water when heated at elevated temperatures (580°C); slightly soluble in water; Ksp 1.2x10-¹4; aqueous solution alkaline; soluble in glycerol and acids; insoluble in alcohol.

The Uses of Calcium hydroxide

calcium hydroxide is an inorganic base used to adjust the pH of a product, it can also serve as a topical astringent and alkali in solutions or lotions. It can burn the skin and eyes.

The Uses of Calcium hydroxide

Calcium Hydroxide is a general food additive made by adding water to calcium oxide (lime). it has poor water solubility with a solubility of 0.185 g in 100 g of water at 0°c. the ph of a water solution at 25°c is approximately 12.4. it is used to promote dispersion of ingre- dients in sauces, creamed spinach, and a frozen pea/potato dish. it is used at 0.1% to stabilize the potassium iodide of iodized salt, and it is used as a neutralizer for soured cream prior to buttermaking. it is also termed hydrated lime, calcium hydrate, and slaked lime.

The Uses of Calcium hydroxide

Calcium hydroxide, a weak base, has many diverse uses. Among the most important ones are:Flocculants; Paints And Sealants; Mortar; Portland Cement Mortar; Lime Plaster
Other uses that have occurred in industry include:
An alkali used as a lye substitute (NaOH) in no-lye hair relaxers.

1. A chemical depilatory agent found in Nair .
2. A calcium supplement in mineral fortified baby formulas.
3. A chemical reagent used to form a long-lasting fungicide.
4. In “reef-aquariums” for adding bio-available calcium in solution for calcium-using animals such as algae, snails, tube worms and corals and also to increase the alkalinity of the water.
5. In the tanning industry for neutralization of acid, the liming of hides and skins and the flocculation of resultant wastewater.
6. In the oil industry for the manufacture of oil additives (salicatic, sulphatic, fenatic).
7. In the chemical industry for manufacture of calcium stearate.
8. In the food industry for processing water (for alcoholic and soft drinks).
9. Used in the separation of sugar from sugar cane in the sugar industry.
10. Used in the processing of Norwegian “Lutefisk”. Dried cod fish is soaked in a mixture of slaked lime and soda to produce a soft-fleshed fish fillet that is steamed or baked and served with potato “Lefse”.
11. In the manufacture of brake ? pads, ebonite and pesticides.
12. In dentistry, it is used as dressing in paste form used for antimicrobial effect during a dental root canal procedure. Calcium hydroxide is known to have a strong antimicrobial effect and is a boneregeneration stimulant.
13. In the production of metals, lime is injected into the waste gas stream to neutralize acids, such as fluorides and chlorides prior to being released to atmosphere.

What are the applications of Application

Calcium hydroxide is a simple basic compound with a number of uses.
(1) Food additives. Calcium hydroxide is used in the processing of tortillas, pickles and sugar.
(2) Neutralising chemicals. Because of its alkaline nature, it reacts with acids to form water and salts, which are used to reduce the effects of acid rain.
(3) Industrial scrubbers. Calcium hydroxide removes nitrogen and sulphur oxides from exhaust gases, which are by-products of many industrial processes.
(4) Used as root canal fillings in dental formulations.

Production Methods

Calcium hydroxide is manufactured by adding water to calcium oxide, a process called slaking.

Definition

Lime water: A solution of calcium hydroxide in water. If carbon dioxide is bubbled through lime water a milky precipitate of calcium carbonate forms. Prolonged bubbling of carbon dioxide turns the solution clear again as a result of the formation of soluble calcium hydrogencarbonate (Ca(HCO₃)₂).

General Description

Odorless white granules. Sinks in water.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble. The amount of heat generated by hydrolysis may be large.

Reactivity Profile

The nitroparaffins, nitromethane, nitropropane, etc. form salts with inorganic bases such as Calcium hydroxide . The dry salts are explosive [Chem. Eng. news 30:2344 1952]. Bases are chemically similar to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sodium oxide (Na2O). They neutralize acids exothermically to form salts plus water. When soluble in water they give solutions having a pH greater than 7.0. Mixing these materials with water can generate troublesome amounts of heat as the base is dissolved or diluted. Bases react with certain metals (such as aluminum and zinc) to form oxides or hydroxides of the metal and generate gaseous hydrogen. Bases may initiate polymerization reactions in polymerizable organic compounds, especially epoxides). They may generate flammable and/or toxic gases with ammonium salts, nitrides, halogenated organics, various metals, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. Materials of this group often serve as catalysts. A strong base. Forms caustic solution in water [Merck 11th ed. 1989].

Hazard

Skin, eye, and upper respiratory tract irri- tant, avoid inhalation.

Health Hazard

Dust irritates eyes, nose and throat.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Agricultural Uses

Calcium hydroxide, [Ca(OH)₂], also called slaked lime or hydrated lime, is a white solid that dissolves sparingly in water. It is manufactured by adding water to calcium oxide, a process that emits heat and is known as slaking.
Calcium hydroxide is a cheap alkali, used for neutralizing the acidity of acid soils and in the manufacture of mortar, white wash, bleaching powder and glass. It is an excellent absorbent for carbon dioxide to produce insoluble calcium carbonate and has a neutralizing value of 179%, compared to 100% of pure calcium carbonate.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Calcium hydroxide is a strong alkali and is used as a pharmaceutical pH adjuster/buffer and antacid in topical medicinal ointments, creams, lotions, and suspensions, often as an aqueous solution (lime water). It forms calcium soaps of fatty acids, which produce water-in-oil emulsions (calamine liniment), and it is also used as a topical astringent.
Calcium hydroxide is a common cosmetic ingredient in hairstraightening and hair-removal products, and in shaving preparations.
1) In dentistry, it is used as a filling agent and in dental pastes to encourage deposition of secondary dentine. Calcium hydroxide was traditionally used as an escharotic in Vienna Paste.

Safety Profile

Mildly toxic by ingestion. A severe eye irritant. A skin, mucous membrane, and respiratory system irritant. Mutation data reported. Causes dermatitis. Dust is considered to be a significant industrial hazard. A common air contaminant. Violent reaction with maleic anhydride, nitroethane, nitromethane, nitroparaffins, nitropropane, phosphorus. Reaction with polychloiinated phenols + potassium nitrate forms extremely toxic products. See also CALCIUM COMPOUNDS

Safety

Calcium hydroxide is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations. It is mildly toxic by ingestion. In the pure state, calcium hydroxide is a severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, and it is corrosive, causing burns. Typical exposure limits are TVL 5 mg/m³ in air.
LD₅₀ (mouse, oral): 7.3 g/kg
LD₅₀ (rat, oral): 7.34 g/kg

Potential Exposure

Calcium hydroxide is used in agriculture and in fertilizer manufacture; it is used in the formulation of mortar, plasters, and cements; it is used as a scrubbing and neutralizing agent in the chemical industry. For making insecticides, acaricides, and products to control arthropods

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least30 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seekmedical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, getmedical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.Medical observation is recommended for 24-48 h afterbreathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may bedelayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor orauthorized paramedic may consider administering acorticosteroid spray.

storage

Calcium hydroxide should be stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Calcium hydroxide powder may be sterilized by heating for 1 hour at a temperature of at least 1608℃.

Shipping

UN3262 Corrosive solid, basic, inorganic, n.o.s., Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material, Technical Name required

Purification Methods

Heat analytical grade calcium carbonate at 1000o during 1hour. Allow the resulting oxide to cool and add slowly to water. Heat the suspension to boiling, cool and filter through a sintered glass funnel of medium porosity (to remove soluble alkaline impurities). Dry the solid at 110o and crush it to a uniformly fine powder. [Ehrlich in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol I p 934 1963.]

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with strong acids, maleic anhydride, phosphorus, nitroethane, nitromethane, nitroparaffins, and nitropropane. Calcium hydroxide can be corrosive to some metals.

Waste Disposal

Landfill or admixture with acid industrial wastes prior to lagooning

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (intravenous and subcutaneous injections; oral suspensions and tablets; topical emulsions and creams). Included in parenteral preparations licensed in the UK.