Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2 or CaN2O6 [1, 2]

Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2 or CaN2O6 [1, 2]

What is calcium nitrate?
Calcium nitrate, commonly called nitrate of lime or Norwegian salt, is a simple mineral salt of calcium, nitrogen, and oxygen, represented by the chemical formula Ca(NO3)2 or CaN2O6[1, 2].

Production of calcium nitrate:
Calcium nitrate is produced by the reaction of calcium carbonate (usually in the form of limestone) with nitric acid:

CaCO 3 2HNO 3 → Ca(NO 3 ) 2 CO 2 H 2 O

It is also obtained as an intermediate product during the production of nitrogen fertilizers through the Oda process, which includes the acidification of calcium phosphate:

Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 6HNO 3 12H 2 O → 2H 3 PO 4 3Ca(NO 3 ) 2 12H 2 O

It is synthesized through the reaction of calcium hydroxide and ammonium nitrate solution:

2NH 4 NO 3 Ca(OH) 2 → Ca(NO 3 ) 2 2NH 4 OH

Applications of calcium nitrate:
Use in agriculture
Calcium nitrate is a rich source of calcium and nitrogen nutrients, which are vital for the growth and development of crops. Due to its water-soluble formulation, it dissolves quickly in water, which makes it easy to use through drip or foliar irrigation systems and is easily absorbed by crops. It also helps to neutralize soil ph levels and improves soil structure and nutrient availability.

It is compatible with other fertilizers and agrochemicals, making it easier to mix with other nutrient compounds to provide specific nutrients to crops.

Wastewater treatment
Calcium nitrate is used in the pre-conditioning of sewage to prevent the emission of odors. Sewage pre-conditioning is based on creating an oxygen-free biology in the sewage system. In the presence of nitrate, the metabolism of sulfates is stopped and thus the formation of hydrogen sulfide is prevented. In addition, easily degradable organic matter is also consumed, which can otherwise cause anaerobic conditions downstream as well as odor emissions. This concept can also be used to treat excess sludge.

Concrete
Calcium nitrate is used in concrete accelerator additives. This use with concrete and mortar is based on two effects. Calcium ion accelerates the formation of calcium hydroxide and thus precipitation and its setting. This effect is also used in cold weather concreting as well as some compound softeners.

Nitrate ion leads to the formation of iron hydroxide, whose protective layer reduces the corrosion of concrete reinforcement.

Latex coagulant
Calcium nitrate is a very common coagulant in latex production, especially in dipping processes. Dissolved calcium nitrate is part of the immersion bath solution. The hot former is immersed in the coagulation liquid and a thin layer of immersion liquid remains on the former. When you dip the first solution into the latex, the calcium nitrate stabilizes the latex solution and the latex coagulates on top of the first solution.

Cold packs
Dissolution of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate is very endothermic (cooling). For this reason, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate is sometimes used for reconstituted cold packs.

Molten salts for heat transfer and storage
Calcium nitrate can be used as part of the molten salt mixture