
Calcium carbide desulfurization and grinding equipment
What is calcium carbide?
Calcium carbide is a compound with chemical formula CaC. It is a white solid material that looks like limestone.
Calcium carbide is produced by heating calcium oxide (lime) in an electric arc furnace at a temperature of 2200°C. This produces calcium carbide and carbon monoxide (CO).
The calcium carbide produced by this process is then used to make other chemicals, such as acetylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It can also be used as a desulphuriser in iron and steel plants.
What are the uses of calcium carbide?
As a desulfurizer, calcium carbide is used in steel production. It can also be used as a grinding plant supplier to remove impurities in pig iron and cast iron.
In addition, calcium carbide can be used as an acetylene gas generator. When combined with water, it produces acetylene gas, which is often used in welding and cutting operations.
Calcium carbide is also sometimes used as a source of light. When ignited, it produces a bright light that can be used for signal purposes or to illuminate an area.
How is calcium carbide made?
Calcium carbide is made by heating calcium oxide (lime) in an electric arc furnace at a temperature of 2,500 °C. This reaction produces calcium carbide and carbon monoxide:
2 CaO + 3 C → CaC2 + CO
The calcium carbide so produced is then crushed to produce small pieces of granules or powder.
How does a calcium carbide desulphuriser work?
A calcium carbide desulphuriser is a specialist type of grinding plant that is used to remove sulphur from coal. The process works by passing the coal through a series of crushing and grinding stages, before being mixed with calcium carbide. This reacts with the sulphur in the coal to form calcium sulphate, which can then be removed from the coal.
What are the environmental concerns with calcium carbide production?
The main environmental concern with calcium carbide production is the release of acetylene gas. Acetylene is a greenhouse gas, and its release can contribute to climate change. Additionally, the production of calcium carbide generates waste products that can pollute the environment.
The manufacturing process of calcium carbide
The calcium carbide manufacturing process begins with the mining of limestone. This limestone is then crushed and fed into a rotary kiln where it is heated to around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In the kiln, the limestone undergoes a chemical reaction that produces calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.
The calcium oxide is then mixed with coke (a form of coal) and fed into an electric arc furnace. In this furnace, the mixture is heated to even higher temperatures, around 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit. At these high temperatures, the calcium oxide reacts with the coke to create calcium carbide.
The calcium carbide is then cooled and stored ready for use in desulphurization plants.
The desulphurisation process
The desulphurisation process is a key step in the production of calcium carbide. Desulphurisation is the removal of sulphur from calcium carbide, which can otherwise cause environmental pollution.
There are two main types of desulphurisation: physical and chemical. Physical desulphurisation involves using a filter to remove sulphur from the gas stream. Chemical desulphurisation uses a reagent to bind with and remove sulphur from the gas stream.
Calcium carbide plants typically use chemical desulphurisation, as it is more effective than physical desulphurisation. The most common reagent used for chemical desulphurisation is lime (calcium oxide). Lime reacts with sulphur dioxide to form calcium sulphite, which can then be safely removed from the gas stream.
The efficiency of the desulphurisation process can be affected by a number of factors, including the type and amount of reagent used, the temperature and humidity of the gas stream, and the operating conditions of the plant.
The advantages of using a calcium carbide desulphuriser
-The calcium carbide desulphuriser can significantly remove sulphur from molten steel, thereby reducing the pollution of downstream equipment.
-It is effective in removing inclusions and non-metallic substances from molten steel.
-The use of calcium carbide desulphuriser can improve the surface quality and casting performance of castings.
-It can also be used to adjust the chemistry of molten steel.