Question

How to dissolve calcium hydrogen carbonate

Answer 1

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The calcium bicarbonate solution must be prepared a day in advance. Saturated calcium-bicarbonate solution is made by mixing an excessive amount of calcium carbonate powder with distilled water. Water dissolves carbon dioxide, which aids in the dissolution of the calcium carbonate powder because calcium carbonate dissolves poorly in water. When large amounts of calcium bicarbonate solution are needed, specialized equipment can assist in preparing the solution. These systems frequently combine a tap-water purification and remineralization technology with calcium and/or magnesium bicarbonate.

Answer 2

Calcium hydrogen carbonate, or Ca(HCO3)2, is a compound that is stable only in solution. It is formed when water containing carbon dioxide dissolves calcium carbonate:

CaCO3(s)+H2O(l)+CO2(g) → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

Calcium carbonate is poorly soluble in water, but it reacts with carbonic acid, which is water with dissolved carbon dioxide, to produce soluble calcium bicarbonate.

To prepare a saturated calcium-bicarbonate solution, you can:

Add an excess of calcium-carbonate powder to distilled water

Dissolve carbon dioxide in the water

Slowly pour in mineral water

Swirl the solution until the mineral water dissolves the carbonate powder

You can also make calcium bicarbonate powder by:

Adding calcium carbonate powder to a clean container

Slowly pouring in mineral water

Continuing to add calcium carbonate and mineral water until the desired amount of calcium bicarbonate solution is achieved