Supplier of Potassium chloride from Dubai

Potassium Chloride

WHAT IS POTASSIUM CHLORIDE?

Potassium chloride is a chemical compound with the formula KCl. It is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. The compound is colorless and odorless, and it appears as a white crystalline powder. KCl is commonly used in various applications, including as a fertilizer, a salt substitute in food, and in medical settings for certain treatments. In medicine, it is sometimes administered intravenously for specific medical conditions. Additionally, it is widely used in the oil and gas industry for various purposes, such as drilling fluids. Potassium chloride (KCl), commonly referred to as potassium salt, is a metal halide salt that consists of potassium and chlorine. Possessing an odorless nature, it exhibits a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance. The solid form readily dissolves in water, imparting a salt-like taste to its solutions. Potassium chloride can be extracted from ancient dried lake deposits and is naturally occurring as the mineral sylvite, often found in conjunction with sodium chloride as sylvinite.

In addition to its natural sources, potassium chloride finds diverse applications in buffers, fertilizers, medicine, scientific research, food processing, and the manufacturing of explosives. Sylvite, specifically, serves as a flux in gas welding for aluminum, often combined with sodium chloride and lithium chloride. Potassium chloride or chloropotas (also called KCl or potassium salt) is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. Potassium chloride is odorless and appears as white or colorless glass crystals. This solid substance is easily dissolved in water and its solutions have a salty taste. Potassium chloride can be obtained from dried up deposits of lakes. KCl is used as a fertilizer in agriculture, in medicine and in scientific-research applications and in food processing.

HISTORY OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Of the potassium compounds produced in the world, approximately 95% of them are used in agriculture as fertilizers (potassium compounds are also used to a lesser extent in the manufacture of explosives). The global supply of potassium for making fertilizer is about 25 million tons. Large deposits of potassium chloride in Saskatchewan, Canada, supply more than 25% of the world’s needs. Other main sources of potassium are Germany, Russia, Belarus, India and Chile. Sea water, salt water and plant ash are also used as sources of potassium. Potassium chloride, KCl, is a salt containing potassium that occurs naturally and apart from being used as an agricultural fertilizer, it is also considered a raw material for the production of other important potassium compounds. Electrolysis of potassium chloride produces potassium hydroxide (KOH), which readily absorbs moisture and is used in the manufacture of liquid soaps and detergents and the preparation of many potassium salts. The reaction of iodine and potassium hydroxide leads to the formation of potassium iodide with the chemical formula KI, which is added to table salt and animal feed to compensate for lack of iodine. Other potassium compounds of economic value include potassium nitrate, also known as potassium salt or KNO3. This substance is widely used as fertilizer and in fireworks and explosives, and it has also been used as a food preservative. Potassium chromate with the chemical formula K2CrO4, which is used in leather treatment and textile dyeing; and potassium sulfate with the chemical formula K2SO4, which is used in the production of fertilizers and “potassium alum”; All are examples of compounds containing potassium element.

PRODUCTION METHODS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Potassium chloride is extracted from sylvite, carnallite and potash minerals. It can also be extracted from salt water and can be produced by crystallization from solution, flotation or electrostatic separation from suitable minerals. Potassium chloride is a byproduct of producing nitric acid from potassium nitrate and hydrochloric acid.

The majority of the production volume of potassium chloride as potash, of agricultural and industrial grade, is produced in Saskatchewan, Canada, as well as Russia and Belarus. Saskatchewan alone accounted for more than 25% of the world’s potash production in 2017.

LABORATORY METHODS TO PRODUCE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE:

Chloroptas is cheaply available and rarely mass-produced in the laboratory. From the treatment of potassium hydroxide (or other alkaline potassium compounds) with hydrochloric acid, chloropotassium is produced:

KOH + HCl → KCl + H2O

This conversion is an acid-base neutralization reaction. The resulting salt can be purified by recrystallization. Another method is to let the potassium burn in the presence of chlorine gas, this reaction is also very exothermic:

2K + Cl2 → 2KCl

PROPERTIES OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

KCl solutions are common standards used for some analysis and titration methods. For example, it is suitable for calibrating electrical conductivity of (ionic) solutions, since KCl solutions are stable and can be re-measured. In aqueous solution, potassium chloride is basically dissociated and ionized into K+ and Cl– ions.

OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTION FOR POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AND ITS CONVERSION TO POTASSIUM METAL:

Although potassium is more electropositive than sodium, KCl can be converted to metal by reacting with metallic sodium at 850°C; Because more potassium can be removed by distillation:

KCl (l) + Na (l) ⇌ NaCl (l) + K (g)

This is a major method for the production of metallic potassium. The electrolysis method (also used for sodium) does not work properly due to the high solubility of potassium in molten KCl.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

The crystal structure of potassium chloride is the same as NaCl. It is a cubic structure in which potassium and chlorine ions are seen. Some other physical properties of this compound include refractive index, reflection, thermal conductivity, burning effect in flame and degree of resolution in solution. KCl in powdered form turns lilac in flame. You can generally see these features in the more complete table below.

APPLICATIONS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

1- AS AGRICULTURAL FERTILIZER

Most of the potassium chloride produced in the world is used to make agricultural fertilizer called “potash”. The growth of many plants is limited due to insufficient availability of potassium. The two main types of potash fertilizers or potassium chloride fertilizers are “muriate of potash” (MOP, potassium chloride) and sulfate of potash (SOP, potassium sulfate). While SOP is usually sold at a higher price than MOP, the majority of potash fertilizers worldwide are sold in MOP form. The price of potassium chloride fertilizer is determined based on the raw materials for its preparation and the amount of supply and demand in the market. Also, the way to use potassium chloride fertilizer is different for each plant and should be used according to the instructions provided.

2- APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN MEDICINE

Potassium is a vital element in the human body. Taking oral chloropotas is the main way to treat low blood potassium, although it can also be administered as an intravenous injection (chloropotas medicine). This medicine is on the list of essential medicines of the World Health Organization. Taking too much medicinal potassium chloride causes “hyperkalemia,” which can disrupt cell signal transmission to the point where the heart stops.

3- ORAL APPLICATIONS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Potassium chloride can be used as a table salt substitute for food, but due to its weak, bitter and salty taste, it is often mixed with common salt (sodium chloride) to improve the taste and form a low sodium salt. Addition of 1 ppm of “Tamatin” significantly reduces this bitterness.

4- INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

KCl is used as a chemical raw material to produce potassium hydroxide and potassium metal. It is also used in pharmaceuticals, lethal injection drugs, scientific-research applications, food processing, soaps, and as a sodium-free substitute for table salt.
Chloroptas is used as a supplement in animal feed to increase the nutrients in the feed. This, in turn, causes the animals to grow better and be healthier. As another advantage, increasing milk production in dairy cows is an example of the application of this compound in cattle feed.
Powdered KCl is sometimes used in water as a finishing liquid in oil and natural gas operations and also as a substitute for sodium chloride in household water softening units.
Glass manufacturers use granular potash as a conductive agent to lower the melting temperature of the mixture. Because potash imparts excellent clarity to glass, it is commonly used in the manufacture of sunglasses, glassware, televisions, and computer monitors.
KCl is useful as a source of beta radiation for the calibration of radiation monitoring equipment. Potassium isotopes can be used to calibrate medical scanners. Research on these compounds is still ongoing.
Potassium chloride is used in the production of some antifreeze products that are safe for pets and plants; Although these products are inferior in melt quality to calcium chloride [the lowest usable temperature is 12°F (−11°C) versus −25°F (−32°C). It is also used in various brands of bottled mineral water as well as in bulk for drilling purposes.
Chloroptas can be used as a fire extinguishing agent. This material is used as a dry chemical, containing very high amounts of potassium and is more effective compared to sodium bicarbonate. In the late 1960s, potassium bicarbonate, which was less corrosive, received much less attention.
Along with sodium chloride and lithium chloride, potassium chloride is used as a flux for aluminum gas welding.
Potassium chloride is also an optical crystal with a wide transmission range, from 210 nm to 20 µm. Although this material is cheap, KCl crystals are moisture absorbent. This feature limits it and must be kept in protected environments.
This feature of moisture absorption creates a further limitation in prototyping or common daily uses in industry. Because the samples must always be prepared fresh.

WHAT ARE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE GRADES?

Potassium chloride is available in different grades based on its purity and specific applications.

The various grades of potassium chloride include:

Fertilizer Grade: KCl is commonly used as a fertilizer to supply potassium, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Fertilizer-grade KCl is specifically formulated for use in agriculture.
Industrial Grade: This grade is suitable for various industrial applications, including chemical manufacturing, water treatment, and other industrial processes.
Food Grade: KCl is used as a salt substitute in some food products for individuals who need to restrict their sodium intake. Food-grade KCl must meet the safety and quality standards set for food additives.
Pharmaceutical Grade: In the pharmaceutical industry, KCl may be used for specific medical treatments. Pharmaceutical-grade KCl is produced to meet the standards required for medicinal applications.
Technical Grade: KCl with specifications that meet the requirements of specific technical applications, such as laboratory use or manufacturing processes.

Each grade is produced and processed to meet the standards and specifications necessary for its intended use, ensuring safety, quality, and effectiveness in various industries.

SAFETY OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Based on the safety information sheet and analysis of KCl, it is stated that this compound is not dangerous. It seems that normal amounts of KCl in the daily diet are generally safe. In larger amounts, KCl is toxic. According to the standards, the body’s need for KCl is less than the body’s need for sodium chloride.
To work with KCl compound, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, protective gloves, safety mask and work clothes.
While working with this solid substance in warehouses, it is better for workers to avoid eating, drinking and smoking.
In case of inhalation of dust released from this compound, irritation of the respiratory system may occur, although it will be mild. After that, you should immediately go to the open air and regulate your breathing more deeply.

STORAGE CONDITIONS FOR POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Precautions for safe use and storage of packages containing KCl ensure the safety of workers. To prevent the formation of dust and their accumulation, you must create proper ventilation in the storage area.
Safe storage conditions for KCl are to keep packages separate and away from any incompatible compounds and agents. The original packages or containers should be stored in a dry and cool place with proper ventilation and away from flammable materials.
Close the container tightly when not in use. Products are incompatible with powdered KCl salt, silver nitrate and strong oxidizers and strong acids.

PACKING OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

The packaging of Potassium Chloride involves the use of 25 and 50 kg PP bags to prevent moisture absorption. In response to customer inquiries, we also provide the option of packaging Potassium Chloride in Jumbo bags or by placing PP bags on pallets and subsequently shrink-wrapping them. Powdered or granulated potassium chloride in industrial and agricultural grade is offered to the customer in 25 kg or 1000 kg bags. Bulk shipping is also possible upon customer’s request. Buying and selling chloropotas is generally done with 99% purity.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

Parameter	Result
Physical appearance	White Granular Powder
Specific Gravity	1.1278
Bulk Density	124.856 lb/ft3
PH 22% Solution	7.74
Solubility	Soluble
Particle Size (Wt%)	200-325 mesh ≥ 90%
Softening Point (C°)	---
Insoluble %	0.35
Wet %	0.06
CaCl2 %	0.02
MgCl2 %	0.46
NaCl %	2.20
K2O %	60.60
KCl %	95.92