Potassium Hydroxide
- CAS Number: 1310-58-3
- Chemical Formula: KOH
- MOQ: 1000KG
- Shelf Life: 2 years
- Types: Flakes
- Synonyms: Lye/ Potash Lye/ Caustic Potash
Product Description
What Is Potassium Hydroxide?
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) is a highly caustic alkaline substance with extensive applications in industries such as chemicals, food processing, and manufacturing. It is a white, deliquescent solid that dissolves readily in water, resulting in a strongly alkaline solution.
The primary method of production involves the electrolysis of potassium chloride (KCl) in a process akin to the chloralkali process. Through this electrolysis, potassium hydroxide, chlorine gas, and hydrogen gas are generated. The resulting solution is subsequently concentrated and crystallized to yield solid KOH.
Related Parameters:
| Items | Standards |
| Potassium hydroxide (KOH) Assay % | ≥90.0 |
| Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) Carbonate (as K2CO3) % | ≤0.5 |
| Chlorides (asCl) % | ≤0.003 |
| Sulfates (as SO4) % | ≤0.005 |
| Phosphates (as PO4) % | ≤0.005 |
| Nitrate (as N) % | ≤0.0005 |
| Silicate (as SiO3) % | ≤0.01 |
| Iron (Fe) % | ≤0.0005 |
| Sodium (Na) % | ≤0.8 |
| Aluminum (Al) % | ≤0.002 |
| Calcium (Ca) % | ≤0.005 |
| Nickel (Ni) % | ≤0.0005 |
| Heavy metal (as Pb) % | ≤0.002 |
Recommended Dosage of Potassium Hydroxide:
| Applications | Dosage |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 5%-20% |
| Food Processing | 0.1%-0.5% |
| Fertilizer Production | 5%-10% |
| Soap and Detergent Industry | 5% – 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics | 0.1%-2% |
| Water Treatment | 1%-3% |
| Metal Cleaning and Refining | 5%-15% |
| Battery Production | 1%–3% |
| Saponification Process (For Making Potassium Soaps) | 10%-20% |
| Leather Industry | 5%-15% |
Potassium Hydroxide Has Wide Range of Uses:
- Chemical Manufacturing: It’s essential for producing potassium salts, soaps, detergents, and biodiesel.
- Food Processing: Used for peeling fruits, adjusting pH, and in food additives.
- Fertilizer Production: Key ingredient in potassium-based fertilizers like potassium carbonate and sulfate.
- Soap and Detergent Industry: Used for manufacturing potassium-based soaps and liquid detergents.
- Water Treatment: Employed to neutralize acids and regulate pH in water treatment.
- Metal Cleaning: Utilized for cleaning and degreasing metals.
Its wide-ranging applications highlight its importance across multiple sectors.
User Asked Question:
Q: What distinguishes Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) from Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)?
A: While both KOH and NaOH are strong alkalis, they are employed differently due to their unique properties. NaOH is more commonly used in the production of solid soaps, detergents, and cleaning agents, as it creates hard soaps when reacted with fats. On the other hand, KOH is preferred for making liquid soaps, producing potassium-based fertilizers, and in food processing, where it aids in peeling fruits and regulating pH levels in certain products.
