Calcium chloride is ordinarily encountered as a hydrated solid with generic formula ·xHO, where x = 0, 1, 2, 4, together with 6. These compounds are mainly used for de-icing and dust control. Because the anhydrous salt is hydroscopic and deliquescent, it is for used as a desiccant.
Preparation
In much of the world, calcium chloride is derived from limestone as a by-product of the Solvay process, which follows the net reaction below:
North American consumption in 2002 was 1,529,000 tonnes 3.37 billion pounds.
In the US, most of calcium chloride is obtained by purification from ]
As with most bulk commodity salt products, ]
Calcium chloride occurs as the rare evaporite minerals sinjarite dihydrate and antarcticite hexahydrate. Another natural hydrate requested is ghiaraite - a tetrahydrate. The related minerals chlorocalcite potassium calcium chloride, and tachyhydrite calcium magnesium chloride, CaMg2Cl6·12H2O are also very rare. So is true for rorisite, CaClF calcium chloride fluoride.