calcium carbide

n. A grayish-black crystalline compound, CaC₂, obtained by heating pulverized limestone or quicklime with carbon and used to generate acetylene gas, as a dehydrating agent, and in the manufacture of graphite and hydrogen.

calcium carbide

n (Elements & Compounds) a grey salt of calcium used in the production of acetylene (by its reaction with water) and calcium cyanamide. Formula: CaC2. Sometimes shortened to: carbide

cal′cium car′bide

n. a grayish black powder, CaC₂, used chiefly to generate acetylene by decomposing it in water. [1885–90]

Thesaurus

Noun

calcium carbide - a grey salt of calcium (CaC) used in making acetylenebinary compound - chemical compound composed of only two elementscarbide - a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element

Translations

Calcium Carbide

calcium carbide

[′kal·sē·əm ′kär‚bīd] (inorganic chemistry) CaC₂ An alkaline earth carbide obtained in the pure form as transparent crystals that decompose in water; used to make acetylene gas.

Calcium Carbide

CaC₂ a compound of calcium and carbon; one of the most important carbides used in technology. Chemically pure calcium carbide is colorless; industrial calcium carbide varies in color from light brown to black. Calcium carbide has a density of 2.2 g/cm³, and a melting point of 2300°C. Calcium carbide interacts with water to form acetylene: CaC₂+ 2H₂O = C₂H₂ + Ca(OH)₂; the process is carried out in an excess of water for withdrawal of the liberated heat (30.4 kcal/mole, that is, 127.3 kilojoules per mole). Upon heating, calcium carbide interacts with nitrogen to form calcium cyana-mide: CaC₂ + N ₂ = CaCN₂ + C.

Calcium carbide is prepared in electric furnaces at temperatures ranging from 1900° to 1950°C according to the reaction CaO + 3C = CaC₂ + CO, in which a large quantity of heat (450.5 kilojoules per mole) is absorbed. Lime and anthracite or coke serve as raw material for the process. Most of the operating carbide furnaces have an opening at the top; CO is burned down to CO₂ after its discharge from the furnace. Closed furnaces with CO extraction have also been constructed. Calcium carbide has found wide application in technology, primarily in the manufacture of acetylene and calcium cynamide and in the reduction of alkali metals.

REFERENCES

Kuznetsov, L. A. Proizvodstvo karbida kaVtsiia. Moscow-Leningrad, 1950.
Strizhevskii, I. I., S. G. Guzov, and V. A. koval’skii. Atsetilenovye stantsii, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1959.

calcium carbide

calcium carbide

calcium carbide

cal′cium car′bide

Calcium Carbide

calcium carbide

Calcium Carbide

REFERENCES

calcium carbide

cal·ci·um car·bide

calcium carbide

Words related to calcium carbide

noun a grey salt of calcium (CaC) used in making acetylene

Related Words