Properties, Specifications and Applications of Calcium Bromide Powder & Solution (CAS 7789‑41‑5)
1. Introduction to Calcium Bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5)
Calcium bromide, registered under CAS 7789‑41‑5, is a high-purity inorganic ionic compound widely utilized in global chemical and petroleum industries. Manufactured and supplied in two dominant commercial formats, calcium bromide powder and calcium bromide solution, this versatile chemical stands out for its high density, excellent water solubility, and low corrosive properties. It serves as a critical foundational material for preparing industrialcompletion brine and customized oilfield drilling fluid, becoming an essential additive for onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, well completion, and workover operations. Compared with conventional inorganic brine products, calcium bromide delivers more stable downhole performance and better reservoir compatibility.
2. Chemical Formula and Molecular Characteristics
The definitive chemical formula of calcium bromide is CaBr₂, an ionic compound formed by the electrostatic bonding of a single calcium cation and two bromide anions. As marked by the standard industrial identifier CAS 7789‑41‑5, it features a stable orthorhombic crystal structure in its anhydrous solid state. With a molecular weight of 199.89 g/mol, pure calcium bromide exhibits complete ionization in aqueous environments. This unique molecular trait enables the production of high-density calcium bromide solution, the core component of high-performance oilfield drilling fluid and standardized completion brine used in modern petroleum engineering.
3. Physical and Chemical Properties of Calcium Bromide
The reliable industrial value of calcium bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5) stems from its superior physical and chemical properties, which differentiate both calcium bromide powder and liquid calcium bromide solution for targeted industrial applications.
3.1 Physical Properties
Anhydrous calcium bromide powder appears as a white, odorless crystalline solid with strong hygroscopicity, meaning it readily absorbs atmospheric moisture to form a homogeneous solution. It has a solid density of 3.35 g/cm³, a melting point of 730°C, and a boiling point of 1935°C. In liquid form, industrial calcium bromide solution is a clear, colorless, impurity-free viscous liquid. The commonly used 52% concentration solution boasts a density of 1.70–1.73 g/cm³, a key physical indicator that supports the pressure-balancing function of completion brine in oilfield operations. Additionally, calcium bromide shows outstanding solubility in water and partial solubility in alcohol solvents, with no dissolution in organic solvents such as ether.
3.2 Chemical Properties
Calcium bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5) features excellent chemical stability under normal temperature and pressure conditions, being non-flammable, non-toxic, and non-explosive. Its aqueous solution presents a neutral to slightly alkaline state, with far lower corrosiveness than traditional chloride brines, effectively protecting drilling equipment and downhole pipelines. Fully ionized in water, calcium bromide solution releases abundant bromide ions that inhibit clay hydration and formation expansion. Moreover, it maintains high compatibility with various oilfield additives, ensuring the long-term stability of formulated oilfield drilling fluid and completion brine systems during downhole operations.
4. Core Industrial Specifications
Industrial-grade calcium bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5) has unified quality standards for both calcium bromide powderand calcium bromide solution, strictly tailored for petroleum drilling and chemical production needs to guarantee the quality of finished completion brine and oilfield drilling fluid.
4.1 Calcium Bromide Powder Specifications
Qualified industrial calcium bromide powder achieves a minimum purity of 98.0%, while high-purity grades reach 99.5% and above. Its moisture content is controlled below 1.0% to prevent caking and performance degradation, with chloride impurities limited to ≤0.5% and sulfate impurities ≤0.02%. The content of water-insoluble matter is kept under 0.05%, and the particle size ranges from 20 to 80 mesh. These precise indicators ensure rapid and complete dissolution when preparing calcium bromide solution on construction sites, avoiding impurity interference with oilfield drilling fluid performance.
4.2 Calcium Bromide Solution Specifications
Standard oilfield-grade calcium bromide solution features a concentration of 50% to 52%, the most widely adopted formula for preparing high-density completion brine. At 20°C, its density stabilizes between 1.68 g/cm³ and 1.73 g/cm³, precisely matching the pressure balance requirements of different underground formations. The solution pH is maintained at 6.0–8.0 for low-corrosion operation, with insoluble residue below 0.01% and iron ion content no more than 10 ppm. These strict specifications ensure stable, pollution-free, and efficient performance in all oilfield drilling fluid and completion applications.
5. Primary Industrial Applications in Oilfield Operations
The primary application of calcium bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5) lies in the petroleum industry, where calcium bromide powder and calcium bromide solution are the core raw materials for manufacturing high-density oilfield drilling fluid and professional completion brine.
Calcium bromide powder is ideal for long-distance transportation and flexible on-site deployment. Drilling crews can dilute the powder into customized concentrations of calcium bromide solution according to formation pressure differences, effectively cutting logistics costs while meeting diverse drilling and well-killing operation needs. It is widely used in high-pressure formation drilling, temporary well blocking, and well workover projects.
The standardized 52% calcium bromide solution is a finished high-density brine product that can be directly applied to high-end completion brine systems. It efficiently balances downhole formation pressure, prevents well blowouts and formation collapse, and protects low-permeability oil and gas reservoirs from damage. As a superior alternative to traditional brine products, calcium bromide-based oilfield drilling fluid and completion brine have become the preferred choice for offshore high-pressure oil and gas well construction.
6. Storage and Operational Guidelines
Due to the strong hygroscopicity of calcium bromide powder, it must be stored in sealed, dry, and ventilated warehouses to avoid moisture absorption and caking. Calcium bromide solution requires storage in anti-corrosion stainless steel or plastic tanks to prevent dilution and impurity contamination. During oilfield construction, operators must prepare oilfield drilling fluid and completion brine in strict accordance with product specifications, ensuring the stable performance of calcium bromide (CAS 7789‑41‑5) and safe, efficient downhole operation.
