Calcium chloride (Cacl2) is crystalline, flaky, white, and highly soluble in water. It is an anhydrous compound that is hygroscopic. Owing to its water absorbent properties, it is used to dry gases by passing them through it. In oil and gas industry applications, calcium chloride is used to melt ice on roads, to control dust, as a preservative in foods, and in brine for refrigeration.