calcium carbide

The reaction of calcium carbide with water was discovered by Friedrich Wöhler in 1862.

CaC₂ + 2 H₂O → C₂H₂ + Ca(OH)₂

This reaction is the basis of the industrial manufacture of acetylene, and is the major industrial use of calcium carbide. In China, acetylene derived from calcium carbide remains a raw material for the chemical industry, in particular for the production of polyvinyl chloride. Locally produced acetylene is more economical than using imported oil Production of calcium carbide in China has been increasing. In 2005 output was 8.94 million tons, with the capacity to produce 17 million tons.In the USA, Europe and Japan consumption is generally declining. Production levels in the USA in 1990s were 236,000 tons per year.