Calcium Magnesium Acetate: An Emerging Bulk Chemical for Environmental Applications (Industrial Chemistry Library)

"CMA" or Calcium Magnesium Acetate is a new bulk chemical emerging on the world market. Two major uses for this chemical identify it as being used in multimillion ton quantities in the near future. One use is as an organic biodegradable noncorrosive deicing salt, already established by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration as the road salt selected to replace sodium chloride. The second major use for CMA is as an additive to coal-fired combustion units such as those used by electrical utilities. In this application CMA has a dual role: firstly, the calcium acts as a catalyst to facilitate combustion whereby more coal can be burned in the same size unit and more electrical power results without increased capital expenditure. Secondly, in the application of CMA to combustion, the calcium acts as a "grabber" for sulfur in the coal. The CMA reacts with the sulfur forming the solid particle calcium sulfate, which is recovered from the stack gases and the acetate is burned. As a result, the use of CMA in this manner substantially reduces "acid rain". This reference work will be of great interest to chemical companies, energy companies, and municipal/government authorities who will very soon be seeking more information on this new material.