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The Role of Calcium Chloride in Dust Control and How to Use It

The Role of Calcium Chloride in Dust Control and How to Use It In scenarios such as road construction, mining operations, and material stockpiles, large amounts of dust are easily generated. This not only affects operational safety and reduces air visibility but also accelerates equipment wear and causes environmental pollution. Traditional water spraying for dust control offers short moisture retention, requires high-frequency application, and delivers limited effects. In contrast, calcium chloride, with its excellent hygroscopic, water-retaining, and consolidation properties, serves as a highly cost-effective long-acting dust suppression material and is widely used for dust control at various sites. This article briefly introduces its dust suppression principles, core functions, application methods, and safety precautions. I. Core Mechanism of Calcium Chloride in Dust Control Calcium chloride is a highly hygroscopic inorganic salt. Unlike simple wetting with water, it suppresses dust at the source through three physical actions, providing longer-lasting and more stable dust control: Long-acting hygroscopic moisture retention: It has strong deliquescence, actively absorbing moisture from the air to form a moisturizing liquid film on dust and surface layers. Unaffected by high temperatures or dry winds, it completely resolves the issues of rapid drying and recurring dust associated with plain water, significantly extending the dust suppression cycle. Binding and settling of dust: Its aqueous solution penetrates dust gaps and coats ultrafine suspended particles, causing loose dust to agglomerate, grow larger, and settle quickly. This effectively addresses the challenge of controlling fine dust. Surface consolidation for dust prevention: As moisture slowly evaporates, calcium chloride forms a dense crystalline solidified layer on the ground or material surface, binding loose particles and resisting wind erosion and vehicle compaction, thereby eliminating secondary dust lift-off. II. Main Functions of Calcium Chloride in Dust Control Long-lasting dust suppression, cost and efficiency benefits: Plain water spraying typically maintains dust control for only 1–2 hours. A single application of calcium chloride provides long-term dust prevention, greatly reducing spraying frequency and saving labor, equipment, and water costs. It is well-suited for high‑traffic operations such as mine roads and plant areas. Improved environment and enhanced safety: Effectively curbs dust dispersion, increases visibility in work areas, avoids dust‑related safety incidents, and reduces inhalable dust to improve air quality on site, meeting environmental dust control standards. Surface consolidation and extended service life: Reinforces loose particles on gravel roads, temporary construction haul roads, and stockyard surfaces, reduces surface raveling and pothole damage, improves surface evenness and load‑bearing capacity, and prolongs the usable life of temporary sites. Versatility for multiple scenarios, auxiliary flame‑retardant and moisture‑proof benefits: Widely applicable to various dust‑prone sites. For coal and spoil stockpiles, it keeps material surfaces moist, lowers the risk of spontaneous combustion, and provides combined effects of dust prevention, moisture proofing, and auxiliary flame retardation. III. Standard Application Methods for Calcium Chloride Dust Control Calcium chloride dust control is mainly carried out by two methods: solution spraying and granular spreading. Both are simple to operate and highly practical. The specific procedures are as follows: Liquid Solution Spraying Mixing concentration: For ordinary bare soil and plant stockpiles, a 5%–10% aqueous solution is suitable. For severe dust conditions on main mine roads or in windy, open areas, a high‑concentration 30%–35% solution is used. Strictly control the concentration to avoid corrosion to equipment or road surfaces and to prevent failure of dust suppression. Solution preparation: Use industrial‑grade calcium chloride. Add it in batches to clean water, stir thoroughly until completely dissolved, and let it stand to de‑foam before use. Prevent incomplete dissolution due to clumping. Spraying operation: Clear debris from the area and level the surface in advance. Use a water truck or high‑pressure spray equipment to apply the solution evenly, ensuring the area is thoroughly wetted without standing water. After the first application penetrates and dries, a second application may be applied to enhance consolidation.

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2026/05

The necessity of soda ash in photovoltaics

Amid the global wave of green energy transformation, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is thriving as a major force driving China towards its “dual carbon” goals. However, beyond the spotlight on solar cells and modules, there is an unassuming industrial raw material that is often overlooked – heavy soda ash. If quartz sand is the “body” of PV glass, then heavy soda ash is the “lifeblood” that gives it functionality. Indeed, heavy soda ash serves as an indispensable cornerstone for this golden PV industry chain. I. Core Technological Support for the PV Sector PV cells rely on PV glass to achieve photoelectric conversion, and heavy soda ash is an irreplaceable core raw material in PV glass production. In terms of raw material formulation, the combined cost of soda ash and quartz sand accounts for over 70% of PV glass production costs, with soda ash alone representing 40% to 50% of that. Moreover, PV glass differs from ordinary glass – it requires exceptionally high light transmittance to maximize solar energy capture. While low-iron quartz sand is needed, a specific type of soda ash must be used to achieve this critical optical performance. The quality and purity of soda ash directly determine the glass’s light transmittance and, ultimately, the power generation efficiency of the PV module. “Without high-quality heavy soda ash, there is no high-efficiency PV glass.” Thus, heavy soda ash has evolved from a simple industrial raw material into a core technological component of PV manufacturing. II. Structural Rigid Demand Amid Rapid Industry Growth In recent years, China’s PV industry has entered a fast lane of rapid development, driving explosive demand for upstream raw materials. Data show that the share of PV glass in total soda ash demand rose sharply from 8% in 2020 to 21% in 2025, surpassing container glass to become the second-largest downstream application after flat glass. Meanwhile, in 2024, the national output of ultra-clear patterned PV glass reached 28.72 million tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 15.9%. This astonishing capacity expansion translates into a continuous, massive flow of heavy soda ash to production lines, making the absolute consumption of this raw material in the PV sector greater than ever before. The rigid demand for heavy soda ash within the PV industry is becoming increasingly prominent – every link in PV manufacturing relies on a stable supply of this foundational material.

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2026/04

The Role of Sodium Bicarbonate in Feed Additives

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is an efficient and safe buffering agent, pH regulator, and electrolyte supplement in feed. Its core functions are to improve digestion, alleviate stress, enhance production performance, and protect health. I. Core Functions and Mechanisms Regulating Digestive Tract pH and Improving Digestion Neutralizes gastric acid and protects the stomach: Its mild alkalinity neutralizes excess gastric acid, reducing irritation to the gastric mucosa and protecting gastrointestinal health. Stabilizes rumen pH (in ruminants): High-concentrate or silage-based diets can cause a sharp drop in rumen acidity. Adding sodium bicarbonate stabilizes pH in the range of 6.2–6.8, protecting fiber-degrading bacteria and increasing crude fiber digestibility by over 10%. Promotes digestion and increases feed intake: Stimulates digestive fluid secretion, enhances gastrointestinal motility, and improves feed digestibility and intake. Alkalinizes urine and protects kidneys: Reduces the risk of urate or drug crystal deposition, especially when using sulfonamide drugs, thereby protecting the kidneys. Alleviating Heat Stress and Regulating Acid-Base Balance Provides rapid buffering during high temperatures: Heat-induced panting leads to CO₂ loss and decreased blood alkalinity. Supplementing bicarbonate quickly stabilizes pH and alleviates heat stress. Assists in heat dissipation: The decomposition of bicarbonate produces CO₂, which is expelled through respiration, removing heat and lowering core body temperature. Prevents metabolic acidosis: Neutralizes acidic metabolites in the body, maintaining internal environment homeostasis. Supplementing Electrolytes and Optimizing Mineral Metabolism Provides a safe source of sodium: Supplies high-quality sodium to maintain osmotic pressure, nerve and muscle function, while avoiding excessive chloride ions. Promotes calcium and phosphorus absorption: Increases phosphorus solubility and improves calcium and phosphorus utilization. In laying poultry, it enhances eggshell thickness and reduces cracked or soft-shelled eggs. Enhancing Production Performance Pigs: Increases daily weight gain in piglets by up to 10%, reduces feed conversion ratio in finishing pigs by up to 10%; improves piglet survival rates in sows. Poultry: Increases laying rate and improves eggshell quality in laying hens; boosts weight gain and reduces ascites in broilers. Ruminants: Increases milk yield in dairy cows by 5%–8% and improves milk fat percentage; shortens finishing period and improves feed utilization in beef cattle. Maintaining Health and Reducing Disease Risk Inhibits harmful intestinal bacteria and maintains gut microbiota balance. Prevents urinary calculi, pica (by supplementing sodium), and rumen acidosis. II. Recommended Addition Levels for Common Livestock and Poultry (Reference) Pigs: 0.5% for piglets; 3–4 g/head/day for finishing pigs; 4–5 g/head/day for sows. Laying hens/Broilers: 0.1%–0.5%; higher levels can be used in summer or under stress. Dairy cows: 80–150 g/head/day (0.5%–1% of the diet). Beef cattle/Sheep: 1%–2% of concentrate; 4–6 g/head/day for sheep. III. Precautions Avoid mixing with acidic additives (e.g., organic acids, vitamin C) to prevent loss of efficacy. Reduce addition when using high-salt diets to prevent excess sodium. Conduct small-scale trials first, then gradually adjust to the recommended levels.

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2026/03