Carbide lamps
Calcium carbide was used in carbide lamps, in which water drips on carbide and the formed acetylene is ignited. These lamps were of no use in coal mines where the presence of the explosive gas methane made them a serious hazard. The presence of explosive gases in coal mines led to the miner safety lamp. However carbide lamps were used extensively in slate, copper and tin mines, but most have now been replaced by electric lamps.
Carbide lamps are still used by some cavers exploring caves and other underground areas, though they are increasingly being replaced in this use by LED lights. They were also used extensively as head lights in early automobiles, though in this application they are also obsolete, having been replaced entirely by electric lamps.
Steelmaking
Calcium carbide is used:
- in the desulfurisation of iron (pig iron, cast iron and steel).
- as a fuel in steelmaking to extend the scrap ratio to liquid iron depending on economics.
- as a powerful deoxidizer at ladle treatment facilities.
Other uses
In the ripening of fruit, it is used as source of acetylene gas, which is a ripening agent (similar to ethylene). It is still used in the Netherlands and Belgium for a traditional custom called Carbidschieten (Shooting Carbide). To create an explosion, carbide and water are put in a milk churn with a lid. Ignition is usually done with a torch. Some villages in the Netherlands fire multiple milk churns in a row as an oldyear tradition. The old tradition comes from the old pagan religion to chase off spirits.
Calcium carbide is also used in small carbide lamps called carbide candles, which are used for blackening rifle sights to reduce glare. These "candles" are used due to the sooty flame produced by acetylene.
