Help Identifying Calcium powder

thetedinator · Feb 8, 2018

Hi Randy,

I participated in a group purchase 10 years ago. Back then I dosed 'kalkwasser' and also ran a calcium reactor. I recently came across my group buy bucket hidden in my garage. I think what I purchased was calcium hydroxide but there is a chance it is calcium chloride.

Is there something I can do to confirm that it is calcium hydroxide?

Ted

cmcoker · Feb 8, 2018

thetedinator said:
Hi Randy,

I participated in a group purchase 10 years ago. Back then I dosed 'kalkwasser' and also ran a calcium reactor. I recently came across my group buy bucket hidden in my garage. I think what I purchased was calcium hydroxide but there is a chance it is calcium chloride.

Is there something I can do to confirm that it is calcium hydroxide?

Ted

If you are certain it is one if the two...
if you mixed a few teaspoons of the powder with water the pH of calcium hydroxide would be high, around 12, because its a strong base and its also not very soluble.
Calcium chloride is a salt and should mix easily with water and not really affect the
pH.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 8, 2018

Yes, pH is an easy way if you have a pH meter.

The solubility can also help if you do not. Calcium chloride has large solubility and dissolves pretty quick. Calcium hydroxide is poorly soluble and dissolves slowly. A teaspoon or tablespoon of calcium chloride will easily dissolve in a cup of fresh water.