Introduction

Calcium Gluconate is extensively used in the treatment of Calcium deficiency, both for oral and parenteral administration. It is also used as an oral antidote for fluorine and onalic acid poisoning and as a substitute for fruit acids in the manufacture of fruit jellies and baking powders and in the preparation of homogeneous pastes like dentifrices and metal polishes; ferrous gluconate which can be readily made from Calcium Gluconate is used in the treatment iron deficiency and in tonic compositions. Aluminium Gluconate has potential use as a tanning agent.

Process

Calcium Gluconate is produced by the electrolytic oxidation of Glucose dissolved in sodium bromide solution used as electrolyte in a cell having graphite electrodes. Gluconic acid formed is neutralised by the suspended Calcium Carbonate present in the electrolyte. Calcium Gluconate formed in the electrolyte is recovered by cooling the the mother liquor obtained after recovery of the product is continuously reused in further batches.

Plant Parameters

Capacity, TPA : 500
No.of Shifts / day : 1
Working days / Yr. : 300
Land Area, m2 : 6,000
Covered Area, m2: 4,000

Manpower

Managerial : 2
Skilled : 5
Unskilled : 6

Plant & Machinery

Electrolytic cells : Rectifier
Centrifugal pump & centrifuge : Drier
Electrolytic cells: Crystelliser
Refrigeration unit: Pulveriser

Economics

Plant & Machinery : US $ 1000000
Operative Experience : Proven

Contact

Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology,
APCTT Building,
C-2 Qutab Institutional Area,
P.O.Box - 4575
New Delhi - 110 016
India