14th, December, 2021

Topic: Science

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims

What is the news?

• The Shimla District Administration suggested that the Municipal Corporation use calcium chloride to clear snow roads during the winters.

Why?

• It was suggested that calcium chloride be sprinkled rather than sodium chloride (common salt) after snowfall.

Reason:

• Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound that has a chemical formula known as CaCl2. It has a crystallised and solid shape at room temperature, but as soon as it encounters moisture, it produces heat. For this reason, it is mainly used in deicing products as an alternative to rock salts. Melting ice with calcium chloride is becoming increasingly popular in icebreaking as well as in its many other applications. The reasons for its popularity in icebreaking include its high performance even at lower temperatures, its efficiency even at small dosages and its eco-comfort.

Though chemically similar to rock salt, calcium chloride brings three unique and highly valuable performance properties not available from rock salt:

1.It is hygroscopic and draws heavily moisture from the surroundings.

2. Solid calcium chloride is deliquescent, which means that it can absorb sufficient moisture to convert to liquid brine.

3. When dissolved in water, solid calcium chloride gives off heat in an exothermal reaction.

These three special properties of calcium chloride are very helpful in rapidly melting ice on sidewalks and steps. The melting rate is determined by the ease with which a substance dissolves when subjected to snow or ice to form a brine solution. It lowers the freezing point of the water to melt additional snow and ice upon contact. By attracting humidity from the surrounding area, CaCl2 creates brine more quickly than other materials.

Customers will see added performance because the reaction that creates CaCl2 brine actually releases heat. This makes calcium chloride more efficient than rock salt and other materials that draw heat from a cold environment to initiate the melting process.

(Source: HP Tribune,glchloride,
ninjadeicer)

Topic: Science and Tech

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims

What is the news?

“Drone Mela” organized by the State Information Technology Department at the Sai Stadium, Dharamshala on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the entire state of Himachal.

(Source: HP Tribune)