There are many uses for anhydrous calcium chloride, anhydrous means there is little or no water available in the substance. This means anhydrous calcium chloride works very well as a deliquescing desiccant and is used extensively to dry industrial gases and hydrocarbons. The calcium chloride binds to the free water and forms salt brines (hydrates) which can be removed and disposed leaving the gas stream almost free from water. Due to its exothermic properties during the process of rehydrating it lends itself to many other applications. Other uses of Anhydrous Calcium Chloride include.
Anhydrous calcium chloride is one of a few anhydrous inorganic salts that easily form a hydrate. The ability to form a hydrate is important because it permits anhydrous calcium chloride to be used to remove little bits of water from any organic solution.