The components undergo a crushing process and subsequent roasting, and then melting using the electric arc method.
The finished solution is solid at the mining site and is subsequently crushed and sorted.
The minimum temperature threshold for the formation of calcium carbide is 1619°C. Generally, the production process is carried out at a temperature of 1900-1950°C. The temperature increase process will lead to the decomposition of calcium carbide into metal and carbon.
The process of calcium carbide formation can be replicated using a small electric arc furnace and a power supply.
The apparatus consists of a graphite crucible or carbon electrode, which is modified by creating a depression before adding quicklime and coke, which are measured in equal proportions based on their weight. It is known that coal conducts current efficiently in the mixture, so the process lasts about half an hour until the arc burns out. After that, the mixture is allowed to cool, as a result of which an alloy is formed. If the experiment is successful, this alloy should contain small pieces of carbide. To check this, the resulting mass is placed in water, and the resulting gas bubbles are collected in an inverted test tube filled with water.
A number of factors can be identified that affect the rate of formation and the quality characteristics of the final product, including size, density, and the presence of impurities in the initial raw materials. It is also necessary to take into account the physical and technical parameters of the furnace and compliance with the stages of the technological process. Despite the modernization of production processes, the production of calcium carbide remains labor-intensive, requiring large areas and financial investments.