Potassium Chloride

Potassium Chloride is a white crystalline powder which readily dissolves in water. In solid form it has a weak, bitter, unsalty flavor. Potassium chloride is a naturally occurring mineral.

Synonyms
muriate of potash, MOP, E508
Chemical Formula
KCl
CAS Number
7447-40-7

Characteristics

Molar Weight
74,5513 g/mol
Melting Point
770°C
Boiling Point
1,420°C
Density
1.984 g/cm³
Forms
Powder, White, Crystalline

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • anti-settling agent
  • Hardening agent
  • Food additive
  • De-icer
  • Flavouring agent
  • Oil and Gas
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Macronutrient
  • Feedstock

General information about Potassium chloride

Potassium chloride (KCl) is the potassium salt of hydrochloric acid. It is found in nature as the mineral sylvite. There are numerous salt deposits containing potassium chloride worldwide, from which KCI is extracted. Production sites in the Lop Nor desert in China, Canada, the CIS and Germany are of particular importance.
Properties of potassium chloride
Potassium chloride is a colourless, odourless, hygroscopic (water-attracting) solid that forms crystals. It is highly soluble in water, but almost insoluble in acetone and ether.
A green row celery field in the Salinas Valley, California USA

Potassium chloride in agriculture

Potassium chloride is one of the most commonly used sources of potassium in agriculture. It is suitable for many crops such as corn, wheat, rice, cotton and soybeans and is often combined with other fertilisers.
Pomeranian dog and a red poodle toy dog waiting impatiently to eat in a living room at home GettyImages-1311653020.jpg

Potassium chloride in the animal feed industry

Potassium chloride is also an essential nutrient for animals. Especially in livestock farming (dairy cattle, poultry, pigs) there is often an increased demand. The mineral increases animal performance and balances electrolyte levels, especially in hot regions.
Homemade Chocolate Chip and Bannana Muffins-Photographed on Hasselblad H3D2-39mb Camera

Potassium chloride in the food industry

Potassium chloride is authorised in the food industry under the designation E 508. It is mainly used as an alternative or supplement to sodium chloride (table salt) to reduce the sodium content in foods, for example in bread and other baked goods, meat products, ready meals, snacks such as crisps and nuts and other processed foods.
Potassium chloride is also used as a flavouring agent (salty and slightly bitter flavours) and acidity regulator to stabilise or adjust the pH value in foods. A stable pH value prevents the growth of microorganisms and improves the shelf life of foods such as soups and sauces.
Potassium chloride also acts as a hardening agent in food production, as it stabilises the cell structure of food. This is particularly relevant when processing fruit and vegetables (e.g. pickling, preserving) and meat and fish products in order to prevent unwanted softening.
In fermented products such as yoghurt or sauerkraut, potassium chloride promotes fermentation. It retains moisture in meat products as well as bread and baked goods, thus improving their texture. It serves as a gelling agent in jams and jellies. In frozen products, it reduces the formation of large ice crystals.
Last but not least, potassium chloride serves as a source of potassium in fortified foods and drinks. It is an important component of electrolyte drinks, for example for the sports industry.

Potassium chloride in the pharmaceutical industry

Potassium is an essential mineral for the human body. It plays a central role in the regulation of the electrolyte balance and the function of cells, nerves and muscles.
In the pharmaceutical industry, potassium chloride is used to treat potassium deficiencies (hypokalaemia), for example in chronic kidney disease, diabetes or hormonal disorders. Potassium must also be added to medications such as diuretics (water tablets), which increase potassium excretion, as well as in cases of loss due to vomiting or diarrhoea. It is also used to induce cardiac arrest during operations with heart-lung machines.
Potassium chloride is also required as an excipient in the manufacture of medicines.

Other areas of application for potassium chloride

Potassium chloride in the cosmetics industry

Potassium chloride acts as a viscosity regulator in the cosmetics industry, controlling the consistency of products such as shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and lotions.
In creams, lotions and other emulsions, potassium chloride also contributes to the stabilisation of water-oil mixtures. Potassium chloride is also used as a buffer that stabilises the pH value.
In skin care products, KCI is also added as a mineral to nourish the skin. It also supports the skin's moisture content and barrier.

Potassium chloride in the energy industry

Potassium chloride has several applications in the energy industry, ranging from fossil fuel extraction to modern technologies such as renewable energy.
It is an important component in drilling and extraction technology in the oil and gas industry. It is used in drilling muds to stabilise boreholes. In hydraulic fracturing (fracking), potassium chloride is used to improve the composition of the fracking fluid.
In nuclear power generation, potassium chloride is used as a coolant additive in certain reactor systems.
It is also used in the production of chlorine and potassium hydroxide by electrolysis. These products are important raw materials for batteries, fuel cells and other energy technologies.
Potassium chloride is also used in molten salts that serve as heat storage in concentrating solar thermal power plants. It is also required in the production of certain electrochemical storage technologies such as flow batteries.
In geothermal power generation, potassium chloride is added to fluids to improve conductivity and heat transfer in geothermal plants. It also supports the production of biomass, which is used to produce biofuels, biogas or solid fuels.

Potassium chloride in the lubricant industry

In the lubricant industry, potassium chloride is mainly used in metalworking. It improves the lubricity and cooling effect of lubricants when cutting, turning or grinding metals.
In certain applications, such as hydraulic systems, potassium chloride is used to increase the density and stability of the lubricant. Hydraulic systems often operate under extreme conditions, the use of potassium chloride optimises performance and extends the life of the components.
Potassium chloride in the construction industry
Potassium chloride plays a role in concrete production in the construction industry. It is also used as an ingredient in concrete admixtures to accelerate the hardening of concrete at low temperatures.
It is also used as a component of soil stabilisers, particularly in the road construction industry and in the preparation of construction sites. It increases the strength and load-bearing capacity of the substrate.
KCI is also used as a stabiliser for mortar and cement mixtures. It also acts as a drying retarder for mortar or cement in hot temperatures.

Potassium chloride in the polymer industry

In emulsion polymerisation, potassium chloride acts as an electrolyte in aqueous reaction systems and thus supports the stability of the emulsion. In some other polymerisation processes, potassium chloride is added to control the reaction rate or to influence the composition of the polymers.
Potassium chloride is also used as a component of foaming agents in polymer production, especially in the production of foams such as foam rubber.
In the polymer industry, it also plays a role in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most important plastics in the industry.
Potassium chloride is also used as a filler in polymer materials to change the physical properties of the end product, such as density, strength and structure. It also improves the flame retardant properties of certain polymer materials.

Potassium chloride in the cleaning industry

Potassium chloride is used in the cleaning industry in the production of liquid cleaning agents and cleaning solutions. It increases the solubility of dirt and grease and regulates the pH value of cleaning agents to prevent corrosion or damage to sensitive surfaces.
For example, KCI is often used in industrial surface cleaning in cleaning products for industrial floors and machine surfaces.
In disinfectant production, potassium chloride plays a role as a pH stabiliser or as an additive in formulations. In combination with other chemicals, potassium chloride also enhances the cleaning and disinfecting effects.

Other areas of application for potassium chloride

Potassium chloride is used in water treatment in many household and industrial applications in water softening. It is used in water softeners as a regeneration agent for ion exchange resins. These remove calcium and magnesium ions, which are responsible for water hardness, and replace them with potassium ions. Potassium chloride is the more environmentally friendly and healthier alternative to sodium chloride, as it does not produce sodium-containing waste water.
Potassium chloride is also used in wastewater treatment, particularly as a precipitant in the removal of heavy metals or other toxic substances.
It is often used as a snow removal agent or ice gritting agent as it lowers the freezing point of water and is less corrosive than other gritting agents such as sodium chloride.