CaC2 for Industry Use

Production of acetylene:

The reaction of calcium carbide with water, producing acetylene and calcium hydroxide

CaC2 + 2 H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2
This reaction was the basis of the industrial manufacture of acetylene, and is the major industrial use of calcium carbide.

Steelmaking:

·  in the desulfurisation of iron (pig iron, cast iron and steel)

·  as a fuel in steelmaking to extend the scrap ratio to liquid iron, depending on economics.

·  as a powerful deoxidizer at ladle treatment facilities.

Carbide lamps:

Calcium carbide is used in carbide lamps. Water dripping on carbide produces acetylene gas, which burns and produces light.

Production of calcium cyanamide:

Calcium carbide reacts with nitrogen at high temperature to form calcium cyanamide:

CaC₂ + N₂ → CaCN₂ + C