Calcium Oxide

Product
Description

Product Data Sheet

Calcium oxide, CaO, also known as Quick Lime is used in drilling fluids
to provide alkalinity and may also be used to remove water from all oil
fluids

COMMON NAME

Typical
Properties

Calcium oxide

CHEMICAL

CaO

FORMULA
APPEARANCE

Powder

SOLUBILITY

IN

reacts

WATER
3.35

SPECIFIC
0

GRAVITY @ 20 C

Applications/
Functions

Advantages

Recommended
Treatment

Limitations

Recommended
Handling

Packaging

Calcium oxide is used to increase pH, to provide excess lime as an

alkalinity buffer, for flocculating bentonite muds, for removing soluble
carbonate ions, to control corrosion, and for activating fatty-acid emulsifiers
in oil-based drilling fluids. Calcium oxide may be used to dehydrate all oil
fluids to keep them water free.

Widely available economical source of calcium and alkalinity.

Treatments vary from 0.5 - 5 lb/bbl (1.4-14.3 kg/m3) depending on the

required properties.

Cannot be used in fluid systems which are sensitive to calcium ions.

Consult MSDS before use and use personal protective equipment as

advised.

Calcium oxide is packaged in 25 and 50kg (55 and 110 lb) sacks. Store
in a dry location away from water and acids. Keep in a seal container.
September 2007

5th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Off Jalan Semantan, Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Telephone: 603-2080-5080 / 7490-5080
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