Calcium Reductants - A Historical Review

The element Calcium element has a unique place in the production of etals, intermetallics and other compounds. The unusualness arises from the fact that we have several possible reductants – metallic calcium, calcium carbide, calcium cyanamide and calcium hydride. A review of how metallic calcium is manufactured and utilized is presented. The difficulties involved in producing the metal in large quantities and price implications are noted. . Fundamental thermodynamics of how these act as reductants are shown, along with the historic application of these in metal production during the past century and a half. Alternate applications as to how to control the cost of the reductant is indicated, such as the numerous attempts in making low cost titanium utilizing direct or indirect calcium reductant.