| Just like with other calcium compounds that | | | | chamber where it is stored. Such water drip rate |
| contains the suffix -ide in their names, calcium | | | | control results to the production of acetylene gas. |
| carbide is not also associated in the production of | | | | It results in control of the size of the flame as |
| calcium-based supplements. It is commonly used | | | | well as the quantity of light that it produces. |
| on modern industrial applications as well. Read on | | | | The reaction of water generates enough quantity |
| the preceding contents of this article and learn | | | | of heat apart from the flame. In cold cave |
| more. | | | | conditions, the heat can be used to save |
| Chemical Compound Reaction | | | | someone from hypothermia. |
| Bearing the chemical formula CaC2, it is produced | | | | After the entire quantity has reacted with water, |
| through the process of electrostatic discharge by | | | | the lower chamber contains now a wet paste of |
| means of mixing carbon and lime at high | | | | calcium hydroxide or caustic lime which is emptied |
| temperature. When reacted with water, it | | | | in order to be refilled for the next usage. The |
| produces acetylene. Such reaction is the principle | | | | caustic lime is toxic on humans and animals and |
| behind the production of dissolved acetylene which | | | | must be deposited on a place wherein no one will |
| is the only modern industrial use. | | | | be affected. |
| Application | | | | The next application is the flare which is a type of |
| The most common application is on so-called | | | | pyrotechnic that emits a brilliant light as well as |
| carbide lamps (also known as acetylene lamps) | | | | intense heat without the occurrence of an |
| wherein it uses acetylene gas which is produced | | | | explosion. It is commonly used as a signal and |
| by means of combining the chemical compound | | | | illumination (especially on small fishing boats) as well |
| and water. Such lamps were formerly used in | | | | as defensive counter measures in military and |
| mines. | | | | civilian applications. |
| Calcium carbide in this application takes the form | | | | It is only handled within industrial production. |
| of small pellets or chunks that is placed on the | | | | Individuals who work with this chemical compound |
| lower chamber of the lamp. Its upper chamber is | | | | always take some precautionary measures to |
| filled with another reactant, which is water. There | | | | avoid any untoward incident that may happen due |
| is a screw valve or similar mechanism which | | | | to mishandling of calcium carbide. |
| controls the drip rate of water to the lower | | | | |