Calcium chloride is a versatile salt used for de-icing, pool maintenance, dust control, food preservation, and more. It is extracted from limestone or created as a by-product of other processes. While it is efficient for de-icing, it may harm live plants. It can also be used in plastic products and sports drinks.
One of several forms of salt, calcium chloride is a solid capable of absorbing a large amount of liquid. There are many different uses for this type of salt, including applications as diverse as de-icing streets for preserving commercially canned foods. While beneficial in many ways, consuming large amounts of this substance can lead to great gastronomic discomfort.
There is more than one way to produce calcium chloride for commercial use. One approach is to extract the salt from the limestone. Today, much of the product used is created as by-products of other types of processing. This by-product can be used for many of the same applications as sodium chloride, commonly known as rock salt, often causing confusion between the two.
Calcium chloride’s ability to absorb a large amount of liquid is one of the qualities that make it so versatile. For example, this product works much more efficiently than rock salt when it comes to removing snow and ice from sidewalks, roads and streets. This is especially true at lower temperatures. There are some drawbacks with this application, as there is some evidence that the product may be more harmful to live plants than rock salt.
Many swimming pools use products containing calcium chloride, especially in areas where there is relatively little calcium in the water. The use of this product helps to increase the calcium content of the water which in turn minimizes the potential for corrosion on the pumps. The products also limit corrosion with various types of pool equipment, as well as any pool accessories made from metal.
This substance is also used in a number of other applications. For example, spraying roads in arid climates, especially deserts, can help minimize the amount of dust raised by traffic. The product can be used to dry algae, thus promoting the production of sodium carbonate. It can be used as an ingredient in many different types of plastic products, as well as helping to dilute liquid fabric softeners.
The preservative effects of calcium chloride also make it useful for food preparation and storage. Limited amounts can be used as electrolytes in various types of sports drinks, providing a salty taste that helps offset some of the strong sweetness of these products. When it comes to canned fruits and vegetables, using calcium chloride helps the food stay solid even when packaged in liquids. Many pickle manufacturers use this type of salt to add flavor without actually increasing the amount of salt needed to achieve the desired flavor.
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